saint1977

He'll be on his way - Reed's 'he's done OK' comments about RK when we'd had a fantastic end to last season said it all in terms of board thinking and Claude didn't even get that. Reed might wait for a couple of other clubs to dispense with their managers first possibly so less focus on it specifically. Also, if he does opt for Silva (not sure after Hull's last 3 results but a more engaging persona than Claude and judging by player feedback at Hull a better people manager), he'll have to tidy things up with Hull first with the end of his contract.

I like it. Would be first home kit I'd want to buy since home kit in Championship promotion season.

Quite - the haste to sell Shaw was almost indecent. We probably couldn't have stopped it happening and got a good price but rather undermined the vision. Ryan leaving and no quality replacement = relegation battle. McQueen has looked decent but over a whole season? RB, Cedric and VVD are key for me in terms of retention, not bothered about any of the others. If VVD does go, half the money on a CB replacement/s and half on a really good centre-mid with bite to go alongside OR. I agree with what Benji said earlier about seeing more of Sims next term - but in a different system under a new manager, the current set up would ruin a fine natural talent. Otherwise, keep OR, JWP, Redmond and Gabbi - rest is available at near our valuation. Boufal maybe keep - may do better in a more positive regime.

Could not have put it better myself. Hopefully Les is going to be fully supervised with appointing the new manager. Need someone that is media-savvy and can challenge him. It was pretty clear from the 'Redmond as a striker' nonsense that CP would be a doormat for Les. That quote on our midfield options would have been challenged by RK or MP as well.

We tend to do it far too slowly so our gameplan is visible from the M3 and the opposition has plenty of chance to re-group. The wide players - although not sure they really are - have long since stopped taking players on and the full backs have a huge emphasis on them. Above all, the system needs 10 athletes with high technical ability for it work - at present we have a chasm between midfield and attack and we don't have the budget to buy that all in/Puel won't be allowed by Reed to bring his own type of players in bar the odd free like Pied. Put simply, we'd have to sell nearly all of the midfield options described by Les last summer as 'the best in the PL'. Bet he regrets that PR piece around PEH's signing! The team looked good when it played 4-2-3-1 - why not get the best out of what you have and evolve towards your desired style over 3-4 transfer windows? Instead, he has been incredibly dogmatic and it is becoming evident that this has alienated the players long before the overwhelming majority of fans.

Ah! That's what I was going to put. I'll say this Thursday 12-1 then.

Sam Rush got sacked for gross misconduct - apologies for using a Daily Mail link but the first that came up: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4470900/Derby-County-president-Sam-Rush-shocked-sacking.html

Granted, the 25-0 post was quality :-)

Not just the strikers' fault though; midfield needs a major overhaul bar Oriol and JWP. They also need positive encouragement to take risks and express themselves.

Don't know what time zone you are in but chill and have a beer. It's only football. It's an emotional industry, hence some of the posts but would suggest calling people who don't agree with you c***s isn't going to stimulate constructive responses. Pampelmousse is actually quite witty and dry tonight. Anyway, it's the club's decision either way.

This seems to be the standard response from Puel's fan club - their keeper was world class. No, he was solid but nothing more. We've got used to Fraser this season. After so few goals and entertainment at home - it was long trip back after the Hull home game and that's been the norm - anyone who is stunned about Puel's future being under question hasn't been reading the football press at all recently or seen Ralph's latest musings, not to mention the slack ST take up thus far. The Club are clearly reviewing their options and far from convinced. Claude himself may want to move on too don't forget. One thing I do agree with on - there's no guarantee SFC will get a sound replacement until the takeover saga is sorted. Les Reed's call either way but the mood music from the club is hardly supportive. I would prepare for disappointment shortly.

Your first sentence is correct alright - what is it, 6 goals in a dozen or more home games now? Negative is definitely the right word to use for that. Our midfield now plays like a bunch of insurance brokers - no risks. Poor Gabbiadini - such a great start and those instinctive finishes. Now drained of all confidence. Could you see him scoring that brilliant goal v W Ham now?

It's on the right hand side once you've posted - handy option with my typing skills (or lack of!).

Apart from LC and Inter win, Jack is easily the highlight of this season. Still think we need to bring another CH in though, even if VVD stays. Yoshida surpassed himself this year but still a PL 4th choice.

He's gambling on the Europa final - plus as we know they have got the LC in the bag. Equally awful to watch as Puel's Saints though and might be on a sticky wicket next term but safe for this summer. Amazing how these two managers produced such an entertaining LC Final! If Saints played like that even every 3 or 4 games Puel would be in no danger.

Would keep Redmond - aren't many young English players around with his attributes. In the right system - say a genuine 4-2-3-1 he'd be very effective, needs to work on his football awareness but hence £11m price.

You could be waiting a while - bit like waiting for both Milan clubs to return to former glories. Hopefully the FAPP puts a kibosh on it, although if Shinawatra can pass it...

Doh! Forgot - to be honest only JWP would have given me any confidence stepping up. It was that kind of game. Martial looked lively for them at times. Pleased Targett got some game time after that awful hamstring tear v Burnley.

That and the renewal numbers is what will do for Puel, on top of the existing rumour that Mrs Puel isn't enjoying England much. St Etienne job might suit both parties. Bit concerned about who might replace him though given the on/off takeover and Lander.

Another post of yours that is right on the money and sums up my thoughts. Midfield is terrible, lack of mobility, pace and power bar Oriol and an improving JWP. Back 5 OK, Jack has been a bright spot. Davis great servant, squad player not first XI now but also being exposed by Puel's slow and laboured style, better in a quick tempo. Redmond will be better under a new manager too, not suited to Puel's style and system. Romeu would do well in any system. PEH has been ruined. Any striker would struggle with no-one gambling and getting within 30 yards of him. Even Messi or Ronaldo would struggle. Good luck after the Stoke game back in France Claude - I don't think even a 25-0 win would save you now. The players gave their all within the style and system but are clearly not happy.

Lol fair play. Agree with Supersaint, JWP has to be on pens unless Austin plays. Tadic can't take penalties - how many has he missed now? Burnley, Inter, Hull, tonight? One V Chelsea went in only because it went in off the keeper. Long's was awful Sat as well. JWP at least puts some venom into it.

I thought they wanted Cook to go? Remember Paul Cook playing for Wigan (and Wolves). I reckon he'll go.

That is a big bonus, De Gea has arguably saved them on their last 2-3 visits here. Mind you, as you say, any advantage relies on us actually showing something approaching attacking intent and testing Pereira. No excuses for negative tactics tonight, fast pressing football and let's have a proper go.

That game did Puel huge damage, like Weston I thought the LC Final had repaired it and the positive games following but Claude just seems to have gone back to a negative default setting. In response to another poster's question (Disco Stu?) Puel's teams were equally neagative pre-SFC, only Ben Arfa saved Nice from the same fate last season in a far less competitive league. It's why I was opposed to Puel's appointment in the summer. The two games at Anfield are an interesting marker of how Claude has gone back into his shell. The LS SF we were just as defensively resolute and well organised but carried a potent threat on the counter so Liverpool couldn't fully throw the kitchen sink. It was a cracking away display on a par with anything under MP or RK. By the time of the recent league game, although we defended well, Fraser had to bail us out and we had no threat whatsoever. It was a dreadful game to watch and did Claude few favours. A minority of posters want us to turn over the squad and get CP's players in. Can you imagine how dull the end result will be? When CP is sacked, we'll have start all over again to survive and the new manager may not turn it around it time, plus getting rid of the new buys will cost a fortune. Better to say his family couldn't settle and amicable parting. By the way, his departure is not a panacea. Just over 25 years ago, an un-focused SFC lost 6-2 at long-relegated Derby. It was inevitable that Nicholl's contract wasn't being renewed but we replaced him with...Ian Branfoot.

You know very well why people are bored = negative style of play at home and chronic Boro-like of goals. Thank God we've been better away otherwise we would have been in the nix for the drop and sounds like the Board also have this concern. I'm happy with us being mid-table but if Puel stays, a core condition has to be that we get back to the faster moving style at home.