Dusic

Sounds quite likely that he will be the manager, at least for the next few games. Lots of chat about how highly rated he is, and seemingly the players like him. However, his CV doesn't suggest he is anywhere near ready for something like this and he has of course been one constant in the coaching staff throughout this shit show of a season. Lets hope he does well, and if he is to be in this role for a while, leta hope the club and its decision makers take the courtesy of telling fans that and explain their decision. Always felt it odd that there were no quotes alongside the Jones appointment.

This season has been one shambles after another. Why do we also seem to do all this stuff so publically now too? Jacob Tanswell is obviously fed info directly from the club because he was right on pretty much all of our January stuff and again broke the news of the Marsch interest. Why not keep things more in house and then not end up looking quite so shambolic? It reads like the club think we are down - to be fair thats about the only thing they have worked out correctly this season.

Short contract (obviously with a big survival bonus) also shows that Marsch obviously feels he can come in and make an impact with out squad, otherwise no real reason for him to take it. I think that should be seen as a positive. Ultimately for him, and Saints really, its a free hit.

Hopefully we can get through to the end of February without a Marsch Out thread. Sensible choice, seems like someone who will be positive and give it a good crack and its not his fault we are probably already doomed. Lets hope the fans get behind him.

Virtually all fired managers get slagged for having no "plan b". It will happen soon to Antonio Conte. Maybe being clear on your plan A is actually a strength rather than supposed flexibility which often leads to disjointed confusion?

We clearly aren't in a position where an absolutely ideal candidate suddenly comes up and is really keen to join in our position. Is Marsch perfect? No Does he have some attributes that would suit us? Yes. He knows the league, plays a style that our squad is recruited for, gives young players a chance and is a positive type of character which is what we need. Not saying he is an exciting appointment but he is the type that might be a decent long term bet for us, and someone who is well versed in the multi club model we are trying to build. I can see why we have gone for him, with a limited pool available and a poor position to be recruiting from.

Not at all convinced by Marsch, not least because we clewrly need an appointment that the majority of fans will instantly trust and support and I don't think he can offer that. Nuno is a no for me. A big 3 CB advocate, defensive approach and just find him a bit dull. Hopefully whoever it is, Ankersen or Semmens will actually attribute quotes at the very least to explain their choice. Always felt Jones was on the backfoot in this regard, they announced him but didnt explain the reasoning until it was far too late.

There is no reason why a really good manager would take this as a short term assignment. All we would get are the ones desperate for any kind of PL job, Allardyce etc. If we go short term it will surely be Selles (despite having been part of the problem) or one of the usual crowd described above. If we go longer term then whoever it is will be hired with a view to getting us back up. The issue with this is any goodwill could be eroded by results between now and the end of the season. Someone like Gerrard would certainly give the players a lift as for many of them he would be an icon - maybe he would also be interested in a season in the Championship, so whilst some would turn their noses up he could be an overall sensible option as a bridge of both scenarios. Would also be a draw for players.

I can't remember many occassions like this where a team has made a change in such a dire situation, got relegated and then stuck with the manager from the end of the previous season. If they can find the right person then it might work, but if they do and that person struggles in what is now a very difficult situation then their impact next season and relationship with the fans might already be compromised. I can see why a manager til the end of the season and then another new manager in the summer, with a totally fresh start and different set of objectives might be a more sensible approach. Equally, the club can't be seen to be giving up on this season at the moment when its still possibly, albeit unlikely, to stay up. Will be interesting to see what direction they take, but if its a long term view then 100% Wilcox needs to be aligned, even if he isnt officially in role.

Yeah, someone who has been good in the Championship recently. Not sure who won manager of the year last time but someone of that ilk perhaps?

Believe he played for the U18s recently (Gomes). Big talent, the kind that will be poached before he signs a scholarship unfortunately. Miles was focused in one of the episodes of the BBC documentary. Seemed a grounded lad, has a brother in the academy too.

I appreciate its a radical suggestion, but you could also hope that we win the game?

Just watched this and controversially I do think he has something that I can see why he has been successful at time - probably the intensity but also he does come across as quite authentically himself, the good and the bad, which in some ways is refreshing compared to some managers who are absolute dullards. I'm not saying that he is doing a good job, or that I would be unhappy if he was fired as he quite possibly should have been but have a nagging feeling that he did come into a club which was 90th/92 over the prior 12 months and thats hard to turn around. I hope the fans do support the team at the Wolves game and at least give him/them a chance to show something. I think its obvious he cares, and also that he has (rightly) been absolute hammered with criticism and on a human level it would be great to see something positive for him after that. I'm very dubious about him, but don't hate him in the way many do. ***As a side note, when you read some of the quotes from him it often doesn't give the right context to the manner in which he delivers them. Much better to watch it and then judge***

Assuming Big Paul starts then the absolute key is to get runners around him who will run in behind the defence. I doubt (probably rightly) that Jones will be so open as to play a 4-4-2 partnering Adams and Big Paul so that means Adams will likely be benched. Kamaldeen is surely a cert to be one who plays off BP, wouldnt suprise me if he goes Walcott on the other side as (from Jones' view at least) he offers more of a goal threat than Edozie and is a natural on the right whereas Edozie is better from the left. Surely this will be the first game we see the best midfield trio of Lavia, Alcaraz and JWP? I think it will be: ----------GB/AMc--------- Bree----JB-----Sali----Perraud ------------Lavia---------- ------JWP-------Alcaraz---- Walcott----------------Kamaldeen ----------Big Paul------------- Or...if he does go with 3 CBs: -----------GB/AMc----------- -----Lyanco--JB----Sali----- Bree--Lavia-JWP--Alcaraz---RP ----Big Paul------Kamaldeen---

JWP will clearly go, even if its on a season loan to see if we get straight back up. But zero chance he is playing the Championship next season. He will be after Beckham's record, will fancy playing in a better team will get him more England caps and at least half the PL would be interested in signing him (and money isnt really an issue for many these days). Overall though and judging by SR comments, they know the best chance to go straight back is to be strong and we will keep a few dexent players whilst probably adding others considering we will rake in easily £100m plus through sales. KWP, ABK and Lavia will probably get to that alone.

KWP not in any of the pics. Jones said he was subbed as a precaution but it looked like a hamstring injury to me. He also said it was only cramp when Lavia went off at Anfield and it was a 2 month long cramp so hard to really trust what he says on injuries. Its as if he is so sensitive that he thinks people are going to have a go at him for a player being injured so goes into this defence mechanism mode saying there is no injury when it would just be better to say the player will be assessed and leave it at that.

Is the upcoming Wolves game massive for our season? Yes Is our chance of winning this game improved by Jones not being in charge? Yes Is our chance of avoiding relegation improved by making a change now? Yes Is it cruel to knowingly subject an out of his depth manager to a fanbase that has totally and irreversably given up on him? Yes. Simple.

Another angle on this, should the club really subject Jones to the ordeal of what Saturday will obviously become if he is still in charge? On a human level they have a duty of care to him, and unless they come out and verbally explain their thinking about this situation specifically it seems like he gets (literally) thrown to the Wolves. I thought when he was appointed it was odd to have nobody from the club comment on the reasons for hiring him as that might have slightly helped with the initial concern of the fanbase. For example, why was Semmens nor Ankersen at Jones first press conference with him? Even a brief video on the OS might have helped fans to understand their thinking. Can't think of anyone that benefits from this continuing.

The fact its being reviewed after just over a month's worth of actual matches should be enough of a sign in itself. The fans aren't happy (understatement) The players aren't happy and are not winning. Jones isn't happy and isnt winning and there has to be a concern for him on a human level too. The metrics are shocking. The Board seemingly aren't happy. Review done. Decision made. For the sake of literally everyone.

JWP was alluding to the fact some players aren't giving 100% after the game yesterday. That said, the ones that are will probably keep doing what they are told by a manager because they are good pros. However none of them will want to be relegated and whilst a fair few know they would get a move to another PL team some will be faced with relegation and contractual pahly cuts so I'm pretty sure even those who may like him would understand there has to be a change.

Yes, according to Jacob Tanswell (a fee months back) he was the manager Semmens refered to in the 5Live interview where he said we monitor managers and someone who was high on our list had come into the PL and done very well (at that point he was). Issue with Lage is whilst Wolves were solid they were pathetic going forward, have still scored less than us this season.

Although it feels its been the same every game for a while, surely if we are to have any kind of chance to stay up we simply have to get 3 points here. Considering we have just spent £60m and will have some home debuts ordinarily the fans would be up for it, but obviously Jones totally changes that. Big decisions for the club this week but if he is still in charge then somehow fans need to almost forget about him and get behind the team like the Everton fans did yesterday.

Will he get relegated with Jones in charge? Absolutely yes. Will the fans accept having Jones in charge for next season in the Championship? No Therefore its kind of pointless carrying on, although I doubt Ankersen will admit his mistake so soon.

Personally I think our best CB is Salisu when he is settled and concentrated. ABK probably second, has great raw materials but definitely not been the same since the WC break and obviously struggled with injuries. Bednarek and DCC probably on a similar level and are obviously both more experienced, particularly Bednarek in PL terms. Lyanco just woeful. I can understand why Jones would play any combination of the others but now we have Bree, and soon Big Paul for helping with set plays, Lyanco wouldn't make the bench for me. Unfortunately none of them are good on the ball which IMO is one of the biggest reasons we struggle in a back 3. All are better defending the box rather than out wide and Salisu and Bednarek especially look so uncomfortable passing out from the back, whilst Lyanco is just too careless with his passing. Until ABK gets back to his early season form its Salisu plus Bednarek or DCC for me.

Relegation because of various factors, most of which predate Jones. Should have fired Ralph in the summer and didnt have enough goals in the team, possibly still don't. We could improve quite substantially and still go down as not many teams look really poor. Its a bad season to be rubbish because most teams are decent and some who people thought would be in trouble are safe already.