Badger

But if he can't agree the contract, or terms under which he's prepared to work, we are left with Reed doing the recruitment for a third summer in row. So far each one has been worst than the last.

The red and red stripe effort is another in a long line of abortions served up as a Saints shirt. If it is the third kit so be it, just hope we keep something more traditional for home.

Not signing Alderweirald was a disappointment, but not Reed's fault. Koeman walking, was nothing to do with Reed. Not replacing Koeman adequately was a **** up. Appointing Pellegrino was another cock up. Not sacking Pellegrino until March... But not appointing/retaining the manager already in place .. really does take Reed and the club to a new level of incompetence. The master of dither appears to have surpassed himself.

That one seems to work well, but then they've got a bloke called Ralph Rangnick at the helm who recruits the like of Paul Mitchell. Much depends on the calibre of person put in to run the show. (not Bunsen)

According to a supposed ITK somewhere on here, the assistants are signed up, only Hughes remains outstanding, 'with the lawyers'. Hope Les hasn't 'out-Lesed' himself by having them sign contracts only for Hughes to walk away. That would be a clusterf^ck on a new dimension. Surely that is beyond even Les Reed? 'With the lawyers' - wasn't this the smokescreen used whilst trailing behind to try and secure Alderweirald's permanent signing ? We know how well that ended.

Summarises my feeling to him to be honest. Good player yes, but never going to endear himself to me at Man Utd, and couldn't warm to him when he 'played' for us. We'd had a number of players coming towards the end of their career at The Dell, Alan Ball and Jimmy Case in particular, who had never been favourites of mine elsewhere but on joining the club they gave their everything and more. Hughes on the other hand always had the face of a slapped arse and looked if he resented being here at lowly Saints (and we were at the time). His managerial career hasn't done a lot to win me over, still looks a miserable sod, and *****ly, falling out with players, refs etc.In fairness though his management record isn't that bad with Blackburn, City (sacked because he wasn't fashionable enough perhaps, or Stoke finishing top 10 for three seasons). That said, simply can't fault him for his time with us, and might well exceed my initial expectation.

If only we had the best catering and radio station we used to.

Arsenal set to appoint Emery. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44203679 (Another one of Les wishlist struck off the options)

He was in a constant strop with his team mates at St Mary's this season. Didn't strike me as a team player at all.

That's good in theory but no one has yet identified the up and coming manager that we might realistically attract. Hate to say it but this was also the theory on appointing Pellegrino as well.

Would need to convince him of big ambition to attract him.Not sure we have that anymore.

Wise yes, but during this season I have felt that 'major change' of the playing squad has been called for. Not convinced that Reed/Wilson should be entrusted with it, and wouldn't want to allow Hughes a licence to recruit solely as he sees fit.

Credit to the Stoke board though, if they have firmly identified their target then going back in for him. Contrast this with dither over appointing Puel dither over sacking him, dither over his replacement, then dither again before sacking him. Could also be argued appointing Hughes is the easiest and most convenient option rather than having a strategy in place for identifying a realistic target and and appointing someone as soon as the season ends.

Stoke tried for him in January. He then signed a new three year contract at Derby.

Initial thought was to vote "go", but have reduced this to a reduce influence, perhaps dealing with the issues he was initially brought in for, administering the Academy, and ordering the cones. But nowhere near the first team, and on a significant £cut. Same goes for Ross Wilson also. Only redeeming feature of these two, is relying on Gao's knowledge to recruit anyone better.

Had a review of Oatcake last pm, and found a few Stoke fans saying, as on here, that a lot of Derby fans known to them would be glad to see the back of him, a hoofball merchant. Thought Les was meant to be one of his admirers as well.

Very much as I see it. I was hoping both he and Bertrand would have outstanding World Cups to see the values rocket, but not going to be the case.

As we expect Bertrand to be off, it begs the question why we aren't in for Bryan, never mind releasing McQueen. I'd like to see a replacement LB for Bertrand, and McQueen or Targett on loan somewhere, keeping the other as back up.

Beggars belief doesn't it?

Plus a GK assuming we are able to offload FF.

This name has been on here for some time, and at one point I thought this might have been the bloke we were waiting for. Downside of this though is that he hasn't managed in the Premier League before.

Definitely, in the bleakest part of our season I often felt be glad to see the back of some of many of our side. Staying up hasn't changed that too much.

If he can string it out for another six day, there's a possibility that Jokanovic may want to talk to us.... And when he doesn't, Les will start the search in earnest.

Given our (well, Reed's) record of addressing the shortcomings in the squad over the last two years, yes.

One where he isn't asked to wear the straightjacket Les provides, or rely on Wilson's recruitment policy. But you're probably right, I don't see West Ham or Everton going for him, or Newcastle should Benitez leave.(Matter of opinion whether they are better of course, but probably the only ones likely)