goodymatt

So this is complicated: 18 month contract, but with a break clause to be reviewed in the summer and if we stay up an automatic 2 year extension? So upon relegation we would be free to pay no compensation and make a new appointment, but the option would remain to continue together.

The reality is Moyes most likely wasn’t interested. There were noises we had sounded Potter and Moyes out several weeks ago and they had said no. I was hoping Moyes could be persuaded now given the unreliable betting odds but here we are. So we are going for a manager with top flight experience over championship managers who we could take another look at in the summer. Perhaps like Martin, their release clauses will be smaller if they leave to a championship club? History suggests we are relegated already so why pay over the odds for a championship manager now and potentially have them in a position where it’s too toxic for them to recover next season. I can see the logic in the short term appointment of someone we have tracked for a while, with a view of reevaluating in the summer.

Yes, that’s the guy.

That is a good point, the best mate approach wasn’t working either though tbf

I recall looking into Juric when he was linked a couple of years ago. His football was described as heavy metal footy with a preference for 3 at the back. Sacked after just 12 games with Roma is a concern but it does seem he punched above his weight with Torino. Also seems like a character that takes no prisoners and isn’t afraid to make waves, maybe that’s the type of mindset we need for the rest of this season. Let’s hope he doesn’t fall out with everyone.

Moyes is clearly the best available option for our current situation. I think he would be a fantastic appointment. I would have to wonder why we didn’t change earlier if he was interested.

Corberan has over achieved with little resource at both WBA and Huddersfield. For example last season WBA sold so many players due to their finances and hardly bought anyone in, yet he still made the playoffs despite relegation battle concerns at the start of the season. He also managed to get Huddersfield through the playoffs without scoring a goal which was the most boring way to go up ever, but impressive nonetheless. He’s not an exciting appointment but I can see the logic in considering him as he has consistently punched above his weight and is often linked to better jobs. I like that he is flexible and tailors his tactics to each opponent, would be a big change from the last 18 months of having a super clear identity. It was nice to have an identity again but that did become our downfall in the end, way too one dimensional.

https://as-com.translate.goog/futbol/internacional/la-premier-se-lanza-a-por-corberan-n/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp Diario AS are saying Carlos Corberan is our front runner. I’ve google translated the web page for those interested in reading.

Can Onuachu be our Mateta battering ram?

We are massive.

In hindsight it does look, like with Tella, that we loaned out our own player and brought in worse. At the time both made sense though.

Lesley is the only other player that makes sense there and he looks to be going back to Chelsea. Charles will be recalled or we will recruit another you’d think. Lallana and Aribo have been deep at times but it’s not really their game.

5 points from 16 games, no PL manager survives that. I enjoyed getting an identity back under him during last season, we were so far away from having one at the end of that relegation season. As others have mentioned the playoffs gave me lifelong memories, best atmosphere at St Mary’s and a win at Wembley (in a game with more meaning than the JPT). Ultimately as likeable as I personally found him, his football became toothless at the top level with a continued theme of defensive weaknesses. 10 mistakes leading to goals in 15 games matched a full seasons record, evidencing the style was flawed, with our squad at least. I watched that first half tonight and saw no identity, we weren’t even playing our possession style tonight. First time I asked myself the question, has he lost the players? I feel sad that it hasn’t worked out, I really wanted it to. The ownership certainly gave him more time than most clubs would have to turn it around, which according to history has made survival impossible. I cannot argue with the decision, it had become inevitable. He will get another Championship job easily IMO and I wish him well, with thanks for giving me one of the most memorable seasons as a Saints fan.

Like many I’m not sure I believe he’s going to turn it around and it feels a matter of when, not if we will part company. Damage is done. I would partially agree with Martin on the luck side of things. VAR, injuries to key players, last min deflections - you make your own luck but we have not had the rub of the green often this season. Would a full strength team have got more points? Would we have potentially up to 10 more without VAR? I think I’ve landed on he’s not good enough, neither are the players and relegation seems just as likely now as it has all season as a result. Making a change now will cost us (£12m?) and not change the outcome. Either Martin manages to get us performing better and we can take that into the promotion push or he will have to be replaced. Players do appear to still be playing for him at the moment, which is surprising given the results to date.

Game going ahead!

I’ve just arrived in the West Midlands. Hopefully not a wasted journey!

Not sure a current champions league team hammering bottom of the league at home would be a surprise?

Bednarek is ‘touch and go’. Onuachu is ‘unlikely’.

I’m going to this one, can’t say I’m looking forward to it either!

17 games in to the season and he will have been suspended for 9 of them. 6 of those for a combination of using the ‘C’ word and pulling an opponents hair. Very unprofessional for a ‘captain’. Tonight he was the one to lead us through this difficult fixture with the squad crisis, instead he just added to it. He is letting us down this season and I would question if he should be the player representing our football club as captain, especially when he doesn’t even make my best 11.

I’m hoping Bednarek will be back for this game now that Stephens is suspended. Although Wood didn’t do badly tonight for a first start in the PL. Shame what little momentum we had is lost but the Chelsea game was always going to be a slog with the unavailable players. Hoping those players returning are well rested and can give us more of a fighting chance. Villa hadn’t won since October but looked back on form vs Brentford tonight. Very tough away game and even with some players returning we will do well to get anything from this game. 5 points from 15 games would continue the embarrassment.