Badger

Remember the interview and have been wondering the same. For me, if it isn't nailed down/announced tomorrow then I suspect it will not materialise, and we'll again be left to Les to do what he does best throygh June and into July.... dither, dither, and dither some more.

Wouldn't we be looking at this if we were to sell Cedric?

I thought Curbishley went elsewhere but was a flop on leaving Charlton.

Someone raised an interesting question in the early stages one of the Hughes threads. When has appointing the 'firefighter' who has kept the team up, and then been offered the full time post proved successful ? Not too sure of those who have succeeded but others I can think of haven't turned out too weell. Sunderland - D Canio, and Advocaat spring to mind. Leicester - Shakspeare Of course, Di Canio is a special case, and not necessarily a good example, and Sunderland has proven to be full of other problems (but we have Les Reed making decisions). Hughes can't be faulted in his time with us, has done all the right things needed to rescue us. Longer term? Not too sure given his track record at Stoke, but he might be as safe and experienced pair of hands as we can expect at the moment. If he is appointed I hope it falls into the 'Strachan' type appointment, questioned at the outset but proves a good fit. Out of interest Pilchards, who do you want ?

Good interview by Adam Blackmore.

Any word as to who else is under consideration?

Yes, agree, can see that standing out . Perhaps he'll replace Hughes in two years then. Is it too early to start a new manager for 2020/21 season thread ?

I think the stand out name in the Championship is probably Jokanovic,although rumour on here is that Reed is a long term admirer of Rowell at Derby. Of the overseas 'up and comings' the name in the press last week was the bloke at Red Bull Salzburg who reached the EL semi finals, but of course unproven in a more competitive league. Then again it won't take long for the name of Potter to be thrown into the mix.

Mine would have been too with Les Reed leading the hunt, and Wilson on the case, but unfortunately **** Emery passed away in the 1980's.

It always is with us though isn't it? The smart move of course, which Les is probably already working on, is to nab the 'next Tuchel' before he becomes a known and sought after manager.

I expect his aspirations will be higher than us though. Already linked with Arsenal, and Hoffenheim in the CL again next season. This is one of our problems, the established and proven names are unlikely to be interested, and not sure we can allow Reed to indulge over the summer months in trying to find 'someone like' who might fit the prototype we're after (perhaps the selection method used for MP, who was hoped to be Poch II).

I think the Wolves rumour started a couple of weeks ago in the press, the article linked was dated 12th May though.

This has been evident on the pitch and in the celebrations, and the short term boost this has brought is a major factor in us getting out of the drop zone. Slight concern is how quickly this close relationship with the players will last. His record at Stoke seems to be regular fall outs with players (although you can understand him not getting on with an arsehole like Berahino), most recently Arnautovic (probably also an arsehole).

Carillo ?

Which he wouldn't be at Liverpool, and Arsenal are strongly linked with a GK from Germany. As good as McCarthy has been I can't see him being a first choice at either.

I like the comfort of having three clubs you know will struggle to stay up.

So would I but expect he's viewing grander places, or rejoining his love-in with Poch.

I think his departure this summer has been on the cards for the season. He's given good service for four seasons, and as he's 29 in August I think this is a good time for us to part, and perhaps the last chance of raking in a large sum. Providing we get the £25-30m touted, and Reed doesn't fritter it on rubbish, or Cariilo's, and reinvests in quality then it'll be a good move all round.

I had an interesting discussion with a Stoke supporter yesterday. He repeated the view I've heard from several on the radio etc, that Hughes was fantastic for them for the first two three years, but it stagnated, and in truth they should have parted company at the end of last season before it turned really sour. Interesting though about who is responsible for signings at Stoke, and who/how they are worked, by the manager, DoF, board or combination of them. This is one of the issues their supporters are up in arms about. There is no real understanding of this (same for us really). Berahino they believe rests with the board,and CEO. Wimmer they think is Hughes choice, yet they also signed Zouma on loan. Hughes transfer record is a source for concern, as is his record of falling out with players (although understand this with Boufal, but wonder what the history was with Arnautovic). Wonder why we appeared so much more attractive to Cedric, and Lemina than Stoke.(apart from nicer part of the country perhaps!), didn't one of them sign for us after visiting the Stoke training ground ? Who would be on this shortlist then ? Safely rule out the bold capture of a Tuchel (who has already rejected our approach)or similar, and Emery as unrealistic, I wonder who is left.

Why ? Less track record than Hughes.

Fulham would be my preference, decent club, fairly easy to get there. Only downside might be making it more difficult to attract Jokanovic if they come up, but with us looking like staying up and Hughes growing reputation at the club this is not as critical as important as it was a few weeks ago.

Yes, definitely. But you carry on, we'll look out for you holding your scarf aloft and swaying side to side.

Sorry, meant after winning the semi, and reaching the final.

May have hoped it, but don't think many expected that of him, quite the opposite. As he was Clown's choice, I think most expected him to be of fairly limited benefit, if not crap;to that end he has lived up to expectation.

I think only Brighton have got in a huff about it, when Saints didn't do one for them in L1. I recall them in the 1970's, and in particular when Blackpool gave Saints a guard of honour after we'd reached the FA Cup final in 1976.