SaintN14

Given that we’ve been through ST and member windows there does seem to be quite a few left tickets left for this (albeit on the back 5-10 rows of the top tier)

I do wonder whether the club could/should have played this differently with the media. It does seem the whole country’s press is against apart from Nicky Butt and Jon Sopel.

Duplicate

I have not seen it covered anywhere but there was an incident in the warm up last night where the Boro goalkeeping coach was collecting long passes in our half, near where our starting XI were warming up. At one point he seemed to completely take out Jander and there was a heated exchange with a number of our players, and their coaching staff. I was geniunely surprised to see Jander get up unscathed.

Any Steve Gibson based chants doing the rounds?

Let’s be honest: the EFL isn’t about to do anything that puts the playoffs at risk by kicking us out. Im surprised Blackmore/Alfie haven’t put that to bed. The playoffs are the EFL’s absolute cash cow—think of the TV money, the gate receipts, and all that "richest game in football" hype they love to milk and they’re extending to 6 teams next year for that reason. If we are found to have overstepped the mark with the filming, a chunky fine or a points deduction for the start of next season is far more likely.

Dupe

It's been 10 days since Will Still left. Is it unrealistic to expect the club to give fans an update on the process? When are the Fan Advisory Board next due to assemble?

Great post. I hadn’t considered the delay being indicative of how close we were to O’Neil but I think you might be correct. I find it unlikely we’re waiting for someone currently in a job to be sacked (I understand the norm with managers is to take a break post sacking, reset and don’t need to rush back into work as they get paid for 12 ish months of notice).

I would be happy with any of that top 3. Corberan Is an exciting young coach, did ok at WBA, but would he have the energy/motivation to get cooking with us the day after being sacked by his current employers? I like Carrick a lot, but Rodgers would be first choice, if he’s interested we should be going all out for him

I have been inclined to give SR the benefit of the doubt on a number of things over the years. There have been mistakes which I could at least see logic in, weve been unlucky at times, but I’ve always felt they were trying to do the right thing for the club. That said, I can’t see how SR could land on GON being the best candidate for the situation we’re in now. It’s not just about his Pompey past (although that isn’t great for PR). I don’t think he has a track record of success which the players/fans can buy into. Our defence desperately needs organising/leadership/coaching (as mentioned many times on this thread) and there should plenty of other managers available with a higher probability of achieving that (eg Carrick). I wish GON every success in his career (unless he becomes Pompey manager), but I’m hopeful the club finds a better fit

The team have been vulnerable (terrible) in defence for 3.5 years. Improving this has to be the priority in the short term for the next manager. I don’t think we have the right type of fullbacks to play a back 5. There must be a combination of 2 CBs who can play well together and form a partnership in a back 4, with protection from our decent CMs in front (Charles, Romeu, Jander, Downes). O’Neil’s recent record at Wolves was heavy on goals conceeeded (40 goals after 16 games last year), and I’m not convinced he’s the man to do this. I don’t think as much can be coached in the forward department. We need a number 9 that can consistently put away the chances that have been created so far this season, and for me that has to be a priority singing in January. Someone like a Sargent at Norwich (whatever the German division 2 version of that is). If I think about our more successful managers over the last 5 years (Ralph/Russel) we’ve had a playing style which the players (and fans) have been able to identify, understand and get behind. Ultimately winning games is what matters, but it gives you a plan/direction to fall back to. For me, Carrick would be the best at this from the names linked. Also there’s something around consistency in our play that’s been missing recently. I.e In games where Quarshie was playing we’d do the long throw at the beginning, then would give it up after the second/third attempt didn’t work. Not sure if laziness (or indeed if I’m missrembering) but think it comes back to having a plan/identity. UTS.

Wolves going for Edwards. O’Neil going to Boro would make more sense than coming here

Dull 2/10 for a half (we’re not losing) In other news, I may be wrong, but I couldn’t see Lallana amongst the coaching staff?

This is a worry…