Badger

The beard. It's a giveaway.

I know what you mean, but there were three Cups in Europe for many years, European Cup (for League Champions), Cup Winners Cup (FA Cup or equivalent), and then Fairs Cup/UEFA Cup. Arguably we've still got three competitions although the last two have been cheapened or diluted by opening up the first one to teams who aren't actually League Champions, but League Champions and 2-5 others from the same league. Al in the interest of tv and £££ of course. Reverse argument might be that it gives more lesser teams chance to compete. Wonderful if we ever get there and fancy a midweek trip to Kazakhstan.

Not according to the Gospel of ‘arry. though. I seem to recall he tried to send him on loan to Forest at one point. But don’t suppose that features highly in his memoirs.

Have suspected Rohl would end up at Leicester. Personally I think we’ll regret not bringing him here, but time will tell.

Good interview, comes across well. Hope he's as convincing on the pitch. (And certainly better than hearing some of the home growns !)

And was personally responsible for the development and success of both Walcott and Bale (after he took ‘im under his wing at Spurs) don’t forget.

Right, get yourself a season ticket in front of the Directors Box. With that level of scrutiny you’re nominated for earlobe alerts this season

I think both sides of this have been trotted out several times in here. A)Fonte came back ‘Billy Big Bollocks’ after the Euros. Wanted either a new improved contract or a move to Man Utd, resented and tried to undermine Puel. Or, B) The club decided it was a good time to sell him, and tried easing him out of the door. What was strange was that the club didn’t do a big splash trumpeting his a achievements at the Euros. So perhaps one party or other had set this in motion before he even got back to Staplewood. Take your pick.

Jones was an open target from the time he arrived. A questionable and unpopular appointment, who fans thought was shit and the team performances only reinforced that view very quickly No wonder the bloke felt insecure, fans on his back, public criticism from a non-league manager,the media vultures circling for the inevitable kill. Had ‘arry made jokes about working in a supermarket and marrying an east-end girl, the tabloids would have lapped it up as a good old Harry, proper manager (although he does have a track record to go with it). But it became a stick to beat Jones with. His Brentford outburst was inexcusable though. But interestingly Martin seemed to go the same way after Brentford this season blaming others (players he’d been too loyal to) although that was a more polished media interview and went under the radar.

How many games has he played in the Championship? I missed that bit.

Shame Wilcox and Ankersen didn’t understand this. No one told them the punchline

I don’t recall his acting for the cameras during his time with us, but it’s not to his credit certainly. Should never have been put in the job. Stoke fan warned me of his interviews. If he knew it, why didn’t the dickheads in charge find out about his media skills in their research ?

No probably too obvious and sensible. We’ll go undercover for someone ‘with potential, this may be Quarshie already. Don’t think he, Sanda and Edwards are the answer on their own. Need someone ready for the fight now.

Just heard of the Rangers takeover now complete. Wonder what the implications are for RM. (US consortium perhaps they think they’re also taking over Lego as well)

Martin had a bigger ego than the rest of them put together. Branfoot, dreadful time, but always gave him credit for facing up to his critics, he didn’t hide in the Directors box (as Nicholl did for a while), or blame fans. Can’t imagine Lego walking the touchline at The Dell this season before his inevitable departure. You’ve left Lawrie off your list by the way.

Generally agree with your list but I’d add Koeman to the likeables.(although have read other comments to detract from that). Met him once came across well. Shame for both him and us he left when and how he did. Pardew is more difficult to list. Was pleased when he came in and I thought he was doing a reasonable job, but he always seemed a bit ‘cold’ in want of another term. I personally didn’t find Jones dislikable , just felt sympathy for him being put in the job. Martin was an egotistical bellend before he joined us.

I was impressed by what I have heard of the Plymouth centre back , Maxi Talivierov. Still only 24, Ukraine international.6’4” (could pass as a Bond villain!). Will probably leave them, Wrexham meant to be interested.

Not sure and can’t be bothered tracking back to see where and how we started listing random CB’s but it wouldn’t be complete without mention of: The young Ruddock Chris Nichol (guaranteed promotion) Jim Steele And going back to the Alehouse: John McGrath

It’s more fundamental than that. All he has to worry about is getting on the pitch in the first place

Read about him after someone else mentioned him a while back. Articles linking him with Newcastle c£15m. Would he join us from Coventry? Apart from £ perhaps. I fear that playing for Frank might appeal to him more. Worth remembering Coventry signed him from Huddersfield. There are decent players out there if you can uncover them.

Fair enough on Livramento I didn’t think our share was that high. It seems Ipswich are stuffed by the release clause as much as anything. Player power etc. But if the City % is on the fee rather than the profit then they’ve really ballsed up. On subject of release clauses, it seems that Rohl was badly advised on his.

Didn’t we have a similar situation with Livramento? The concept of taking young players who aren’t going to get the chance at City/Chelsea was a good one and did open up a rich seam to tap from. But you have to wonder how advantageous it is, with sell on % , especially if the potential sale is capped by a release clause. Seems these moves are becoming glorified loans.

Agree. Would certainly like to see an end to some of the tacky crap we’ve had.

SAGA perhaps might be a better fit. Or given some of the crocks we’ve signed BUPA

If you get over the aversion to seeing the initials PO (not my favourite post code) then it’s not a bad sponsor depending on the ££ obviously