goodymatt

Just to put an end to any further comments regarding bringing back our Nige

On one hand, the new owners managerial decisions to date have been disastrous (that’s being kind) and that gives you very little hope they can find the right guy. If we are competing against Leeds and Everton for example, it’s going to be even harder than usual to get out of the Championship too. On the other hand, we are likely to sell £150m+ worth of talent. All to clubs that will be in PL or equivalent you’d think. Some of the recruitment (mainly Lavia and ABK) were really good finds. Others I’d expect will be much more impactful at the championship level (Edozie and Sulemana should be very dangerous). It could be that at the Championship level we could have a lot more success with player recruitment. I’m holding out hope that should the sales be fully available then it’s an exciting challenge for a new manager to build a team in his image.

Interesting stats based view on how Saints are underperforming this season. 2nd worst in PL behind WHU.

I’ve still got a ticket available (senior concession).

Leeds have a lot of pace, so I’d rather see Salisu back in for Bednarek if fit to start. KWP is one of our best players so again should come in at RB. Otherwise I’m happy for consistency.

I have 1x Senior concession ticket for this game if anyone wants it at face value (£29)? Can meet at the ground. Pretty sure the ticket scanners are automatic so don’t think they actually check but worth noting.

Would you rather have Ruben Selles or Javi Gracia as your manager for these next 15 games? Interesting question ahead of this weekend. On one hand Ruben knows our teams well and the players clearly love him. On the other hand Javi Gracia has more experience as a manager and has kept Watford up and reached a cup final before. Personally it feels right to let Ruben have a go given his relationship with the players but I can’t help but think we are taking the bigger risk.

It was 100% this.

An Everton season ticket holder was saying to me yesterday at work that he’s very confident they stay up now with Dyche and that Saints spent a fair amount on ‘bargain basement signings’ and that’s why Everton chose not to buy them. He was obviously referring to Tall Paul and Kamal. Fitting the stereotype.

So what are we thinking about Javi Gracia looking likely to be Leeds manager for this game? I think I read that we beat his Watford team 1-0 when he managed them for the first time? I would have preferred to be facing a managerless Leeds, Gracia’s record is mid table (and a cup final), but seems to average 1 year at a club and has a mixed bag elsewhere.

Marsch was the logical appointment, this is the cheap one. I was impressed with how he spoke too but we need to see positive on field changes before we can suggest this is an acceptable option for 16 PL games, IMO. I’ll get behind him and the team as that’s what we need to do but I remain pretty skeptical that this is the right decision, especially as I think we could have got Marsch with the right offer.

I hope it is just for now and we are actually planning on replacing him ASAP.

Ankerson isn’t going anywhere. He is part of Sports Republic and although the investment is from Solak, he’s investing in Ankerson and Kraft’s idea/model. Selles, a well travelled coach but with no managerial experience is going to oversee 42% of our premier league season? Please tell me this is some sort of sick joke. Rushing to get Jesse Marsch in one minute, then realising Selles is the answer the next. How as fans are we supposed to get behind this?

I know we all thought Jones was a bad appointment from the off, but I don’t think anyone expected it to go as badly as it did. He made us into a laughing stock and relegated us in 94 days (including a World Cup break!). it sounds like we are still on ‘respectful’ terms with Jesse Marsch after it was mutually agreed to not proceed. I wonder if after a couple more games we might go back with a different offer, like Wolves did with Lopetegui? Or is this dead as a dodo, much like our season and PL status?

I’m actually pretty disappointed. I was looking forward to the return of attacking football and giving it a good go. If Sheffield Wednesday is anything to go by Selles is not the one. He also likes a 5 at the back doesn’t he? Sigh.

Thoughts on the contract to the ends of the season? Suits both parties or is Jesse not fancying the championship if we go down? Hopefully he has the motivation to prove himself and we pull off the unthinkable. I’m thinking we will still drop unfortunately but support the appointment.

Good listen on Jesse Marsch and if he will be a good fit, as well as why Jones was sacked. 35 mins long but well worth a listen.