CheshireSaint

If I recall, he was disparaging against the clubs willingness to push on, when we were in and around the top 4. His comments were snide at the time, but in hindsight, they were very on point. I cannot stand the man either, if he was made of chocolate, he'd eat himself. However, it isn't about that. Could he do a better job than Still? Could he pushback against Rasmus and Co.? Could he get us up the table and secure a play off spot at least? If the answer is yes to all three, he would be a more than obvious choice.

Unless we play 4 at the back, with an emphasis on not fooking about and get the ball to the teeth players in midfield and up front. Having 5 at the back just gives them an appearance of more security, and options of playing it across the back. Urgency is something we continue to lack. Allowing defences to settle and play on their terms, in their comfort zones. We will never be up and at 'em with 5 at the back.

For me, the problem isn't whether it's the Manager or the recruitment / board. It is both. We can't do much about recruitment at present. We can do something about the Manager. I was really optimistic about his appointment at first, with it being controversial and left field. Worth a chance I thought. Now, reality hits. He doesn't know what to do. He is thinking he needs a solid foundation and he is withdrawing behind what he thinks is a defensive wall, literally. 3 CB's is acceptable when required. Away at a team riding high say, at least for the first half perhaps. Playing 3 CB's from the start against.....everyone, home or away is weakness personified. Last night, by half time, we had lost the initiative completely. There was no point sending the same team out and expecting them to wrestle it back without anything changing. That's stupid. He then went on to not only put on the worst player we have, but sacrificed a midfielder whilst still maintaining 3 CB's. That isn't naivety or lack of experience, that's stupidity and ineptitude. It matters little, how many centre halves we have when they are running back to their own goal and the opposition is swarming forward, waiting to pick out a run into the channels. That swarm needs to be stopped at source. You do that by having a competitive midfield. With numbers in midfield, that's where you play the ball around, probing for an opportunity. You don't play it around the back where it is unlikely you will find a killer pass and the jeopardy is increased if a wayward pass occurs, as it did. It's set up completely wrong and Still is a complete fookwit for doing so. Repeatedly. Away from home we need to pack the midfield to keep it tight. Not the defence. In other news, there was a move and cross that summed Downs up last night. A cross come in and Downs was in his usual position of between centre halves, hiding. Instead of looking to get in front of the centre half to meet the ball, he was happy staying between the two where he could slightly jump, for effect, knowing he was never going to get the ball. He has no wish to contest anything, as proven by his lack of touches. I have said it before and i'll say it again, Get Azaz up front. Still needs to go. We have an abundance of offensive talent, apart from the absolute point of the diamond. Get that sorted (January) and play with a freedom that line up deserves and we should dominate. Certainly against very mediocre Swansea and Bristol City. One point return against them, it's inexcusable and as such, certainly justification for a change already.

Now that Dyche has been confirmed as Forest boss, you would think he would want to at least run the rule over his squad. Imagine he would have completed that by January mind, but if his profile is as you say, he may well be someone Dyche wants to keep around. If Bamford is a free agent, does that mean he could join outside of any window? If he is willing to play as he is paid, that can't be too much of a gamble surely? His best years may be behind him, but I'd wager he is much better than Downs and not 5'8'' and a grabbing, shoot at all costs type.

He doesn't give a monkey's of what is around him or who is in what position. In his head, he is shooting no matter what, or from where. He isn't the only one. Archer had a chance to lay the ball off to him in space, 8 yards out. Instead, he took on a shot for the top corner. The more difficult of the two options. Archer and Adams are so alike in that they are selfish and not very good. Either playing alongside an unselfish target man, would be acceptable but...... Armstrong though, as soon as the ball goes to him, you know the move is finished. Snaps shoots from anywhere and continually fires straight at the keeper or a defender, or not on target at all. Adams and Archer (same thing) and Downs, who is the opposite. Can't even get on (hides from) the ball. What a crock of sh1te we are up top.

Common sense would have been to get a 'decent' CF in who has perhaps already reached his ceiling but gives you a solid return, a Kiefer Moore / McBurney type and then to have a little gamble on a player who isn't pulling up trees but could turn out to be a gem. A Downs type (if Downs had any potential at all) that could be eased in. In horse racing terms, you'd back a short price horse who you know has form, and then maybe an each way bet on a progressive horse making its debut but from a good yard, good breeding etc. that is a longer price. Instead, we backed Donkey Downs at 50/1 on the nose, for the Derby, based on having had mediocre success in a class 3 at Cologne (it has a race track so the analogy works). If Downs was a horse, minced beef and onion crispy pancakes beckon. Anyway, I've just talked myself into having a tipple. Wish me luck.

Unless Azaz goes up front. Scored 17 goals last season so knows where the net is. Might be worth a gamble.

When he shows desire, determination and a general willingness to join in, he will deserve a break. As many have noted, his confidence may be rock bottom but you can be bereft of confidence and still put in a shift. Most will welcome the effort at least. Unless you are Matt Le Tiss incarnate, you don't get to bob around at your own pace.

It really is all about the spine. Bazunu, Stephens, Downes and Arma all started this campaign. Shocking. Three of which were loaned out in recent seasons as not being up to standard and rightly so. Yet now, they are deemed not just standard but spine worthy and captain material no less. Only Downes has been recently integral but even then, when he isn't suspended or ill. This season, for whatever reason, he is massively out of sorts. That spine as is, is more likely to result in relegation than promotion. Someone is regally taking the p1ss. The transfer window has only just shut and we are now looking forward desperately for January to correct what was blatant to a blind man for the last few years. We need a centre forward, a goalkeeper, a commanding centre half, and a right back, all only weeks after the transfer window shut. That is a dereliction of duty. I think and hope our midfield will come of age (it will have to) so we can worry less there, but we ain't going up with that spine. We are simply too easy to play against. Not the season we were expecting, early days as it is.

This is absolutely correct. If the fans can see it, then someone being paid to do the same, should be all over it. No one can doubt the financial backing so far but one wonders how a person can be so good in business and so bad at appointing the correct people. It's been glaringly obvious since Ings, that we have needed a striker. It's been glaringly obvious that Bazunu isn't a number one or even a two. Hardly surprising then that we struggle to score and concede at will. I think it's a little early to judge this summers transfers in but certainly Downs isn't what we need. He hasn't the heart to get amongst it and challenge, preferring to remain on the periphery, where it's safe. How on earth he was scouted and not found out, I don't know. Again likely by someone who is paid handsomely to not make this mistake. It seems we are continually trying to be too clever, looking for the next superstar. We need a steady Eddie type of striker who doesn't pull up trees necessarily but is a no nonsense target man that knows where the goal is and isn't afraid to get stuck in.

Nordic, I have been in plenty of opposition pubs giving it the big one. I have looked for plenty of fights too. I have the scars and court appearances to testify to both. Neither of which is big or clever. I am certainly not defending the Pompey fans but in all my experience there are unwritten rules, one of which being children present. Maybe things have changed since my days. The fact Westwood is already spinning this, proves my point entirely. As for your last point, that probably wasn't beer

Whilst the thought of his wig being lobbed in the air, all around St. Mary's is funny, the bloke in the blue tracky getting beer thrown at him, seems to be with his son. Not great optics and you just know that's going to be sensationalised beyond all truth and context. Still, not great as is in my opinion.

Certainly not for a finish from 6 yards. Make any contact and every chance of a goal unless he does an Arma and targets their team members on the line.

The keeper doesn't make any effort to come off his line. Downes has plenty of time to allow a split second further for the ball to reach his right foot, where he doesn't need to do anything but miss the keeper, who is shuffling across his line. If he taps that with his right foot, to the keepers right (against his direction of shuffle) it's a goal. There are 1000's of goals of a similar fashion. Downes just gets it all wrong. It starts with his decision making and ends with his execution. Doesn't mean he is rubbish, just needs to calm down a little. Very hopeful that will come, because he is getting in the right positions at least.

The reason he has to reposition himself, is not because the ball is bad but because he seems obsessed with playing it with his left foot, rather than letting it go across him to his right foot which would have meant no readjustment nor break in stride. Perfect cross. The argument that it was behind him is only if the player can't use his right. I'm left footed and pants with my right, but as I'm not trying to bend into the top corner from 30 yards, I'd have taken it on my right as it only needs a stabbed connection, and I'm obviously not a pro footballer. I remain optimistic he will build on his composure, but right now, looks a little flappy.