Greenridge

I think this is a one-off i.e. Friday night out as the Watford game was cancelled. The curfews always used to commence two days prior to a game so not big nights out on Thursdays and Fridays. I've been critical of some of Wotte's comments up until now but have to say he's made some appropriate observations in this article. I especially like the one about having 23rd position in the table written on your nose!

Specifically in pointing the finger at Crouch for 'ploughing the club into so much debt'. I think it's fair to say that this has been debated to death and there is a consensus of agreement that he did no such thing during his tenure. Hone and his gang yes but Crouch no. The rest of your post I agree with. I'm not a fan of Crouch by any stretch but let's try and stick to facts.

Not many takers for DMG it seems, most have not even included him in their squads. I'd like to see Paterson given a few games alongside Saga to see what they can offer as a partnership.

You're quite right it's not the thread for that but you still took the opportunity to re-write history I see.

I think they have adopted this new stance as apparently they were absolutely furious that they didn't get the exclusive on 'Wotte thinks Hiddink is fantastic' article. That'll learn 'em.

Some American chaps. I just happen to have a list of some possible candidates..

Now there's an idea....oops, wait a minute....

I can only assume that's what they are trying to achieve. This should go in the Golden OS Article Archive along with those pearlers from when Lowe was trying to maintain his grip on the Chairmanship.

As with many threads on the forum this started with some good debate but has yet again deteroiorated into childish name calling by the usual offenders. Painful.

Sorry TDD I'm not sure I understand your point. I was very sceptical when Pearson came on board but he just seemed to do the simple things we had been missing - organisation, structure and shape. I'm not by any means suggesting he is the messiah but what he demonstrated in those few months gave a good indication he could do a job for us this year. The arguments against his continued appointment all seem to have been subsequently shown as propoganda. He was certainly less of a rish than the Dutch experiment IMO.

Yes some folk find it very convenient to forget the direction the club was going in when Pearson took over and the performances, results, motivation and morale in the preceding weeks but that doesn't fit with their agenda so is brushed to one side. It demonstrates a lack of objectivity.

You have too much time on your hands Trousers...but I'm glad you have as you brighten up this god forsaken forum at times!

Unfortunately 1965 there is a faction on this board which will argue and argue and argue against the points you have raised just as they will endeavour to muddy the waters regarding Pearson. You know the type of comment 'he can't work with the youngsters' - oh wait a minute he was England U21 Manager oops. Let's be clear Wilde and Lowe stated upon Pearson's appointment that they weren't happy about it so from the moment they came back into power the clock was ticking. On the face of it it appears a petty point scoring exercise but that's only perception. No one knows what the situation would have been with him in charge this year however from what he demonstrated last year in terms of organisation, structure and focus as well as full pre-season and a squad of his selection I know that my preference would have been for him rather than the dynamic Dutch duo. We are where we are however and like most I have all fingers crossed in the hope that Wotte can pull this one out of the fire as well. You never know he may just turn out to be a decent manager. Here's hoping.

In that case I suggest you take another look as there are several posts which cover exactly that. They are there to be read if you want to that is.

In all fairness I think it has been widely debated that MW is just as, if not more, 'responsible' for where we are firstly because of his bed-hopping and secondly for his role as Chairman of the Football Board. However, I think there is widespread suspicion as to exactly what powers MW actually has in this role.

Surely this thread is about Crouch (and Pearson) and not Wotte but I don't disagree with any of the points you have made. I am not against Wotte by any stretch although I'm not too enamered with his attempts to play the political game or some of his comments ('we are very confident after Tuesday's game') but as per Pearson I don't really care what he does if we stay up. That's all he can be measured on. Let's not forget that he cannot be divorced from the results prior to him coming on board as he was part of the 'team'.

It's the same people every time who like to beat Pearson with a stick. He kept Saints up full stop. Personally I don't care how he did it but he did. IF Wotte does the same then great but the odds are seriously stacked against him. This thread may be dressed up a little but it's no more than a Lowe vs Crouch thread - as many on here seem to be. Actually I'll retract that comment, it's an anti-Crouch thread as stated by the original poster. It's going round and round with the same myopic view points from the same posters. I'd be quite happy if Wotte has a record of only 4 losses in 14 games - would you?!

Is it really? Or am I being naive to believe this?

It would have been foolhardy to risk giving a long-term contract to an as-yet untried manager at this level - I would have thought that would be considered a very prudent and appropriate approach. I would imagine that there was some informal agreement to see how things went to the end of the season then review it from there. Hardly a stick to beat Crouch with - quite the opposite I would say but then as you have said FC you don't have any time for Crouch so the reasoning behind your posting is clear for all to see. I'm not a huge fan of hiw either but I'd take him above the other two urchins but, like most, I'd rather see a clean sweep full stop.

I doubt many other clubs have had such an incompetent board to try this strategy

If he's going to get involved in club politics or make inappropriate comments them I'm in total agreement with you.

Just announced on SSN

Like most people I would imagine I would prefer Wotte to put all his efforts and focus into getting results on the pitch. It his not his place or in his interests to get involved in club politics, that's for the likes of Wilde and Lowe but certainly not Wotte. Get on with your own job and let the others worry about theirs.

He's making Marian look like an ever-present.

I'm sure it's purely coincidental but Sundance Beast often made comments like the above....in fact in almost the the very same syntax. Always made me chuckle when he would say 'I never heard that interview but this is my take on what he meant'...precious.