Badger

That’s a good and thought provoking post, or essay which could inspire a lot of debate. For me the main difference between “then” ( 1960’s to perhaps 2014) and more recent times and “now”, is that in the past there was a tremendous sense of ‘in it together’ , players, manager, fans. This was especially true at The Dell, even with Branfoot fans identified with many of the players, even the ‘overseas’ players (Monkou and Kachloul spring to mind) appeared to be motivated and care. Now it’s more difficult to identify with players who in your heart you know are likely to piss off at the first opportunity. Agree with you about supporting the team on the field, and wish this could be cranked up a bit. This is perhaps over to the younger generation, I’m getting a bit too old for it all, but did my ‘apprenticeship’ and served my time on various terraces and stands at The Dell after many a beer. That said supporting Davies, McGrath, Channon, et al was a lot easier to get worked up about than the current crop.

Do you think by any chance that 3) might in some way be related to the first two ?

Saw the BBC Gossip Column , and reference to it on the Russell Martin thread, mentioning our interest in John Eustace. Would hope that it’s bollocks from an unreliable source. Could we really sack an inexperienced manager after a run of poor results and replace him with …. an inexperienced manager who has never managed in the EPL before ? If that’s the level we’re looking at, might as well stick with RM.

Thought that was decided after Blackburn away last season.

Fair point.

Can categorically say "no".

Players don't go from Germany World Cup squad to shit in just over a season normally. But perhaps ABK is the exception to the rule.

Sad news and it does always strike home and remind me how vulnerable we all are when I see players of my childhood, or in Shaw's case similar age, going. I remember him being highly rated in c 1979-81, and wondering if he or Steve Moran would break into the England set up first. Sadly neither did, although Shaw did get a call up. Don't think either reached the early promise shown in their careers. Had a read of a few things on this news, and especially after Holmes put up the picture of the Villa squad. Obseravtions : Ron Saunders always a miserable bastard but had quite a good record up to leaving Villa. Also hadn't realised Jimmy Rimmer was their GK, quite underestimated, and possibly unfortunate to be around in the era of Banks, Shilton, Clemence. Incredible thing reading about Villa winning the league in 1980/81 - they only used 14 players all season in the league (42 games then as well), imagine Klopp, Wenger etc dealing with that. Finally, making it Saints related, one of the Villa players mentioned was David Geddis. Think we were linked with him before he went to Villa from Ipswich (£300,000) late 70's.

All part of the modern era unfortunately. Gone are the days of Lawrie taking to the dugout in suit and full length leather coat, or WGS with shirt, tie, and blazer. Blame Pep again for that 'just come off the allotment' type appearance, and scruffy fuckers in t-shirts. RM has adopted his own scruffy style, looking like he's just parked up his VW Campervan for a summer of surfing in Newquay. in may ways I wouldn't give a monkeys if he stood on the touchline in his underpants, just get the team playing, and winning.

Totally agree we needed another striker ( a proper CF in my book not a short arse who runs around a lot). Dreadful scouting nad recruitment in that department. ,

I don't go along with the clamour for Ings. West Ham rely on him being fit enough for a 10-20 minute sub appearance from time to time. We'd have to rely on him being fit most of the season. A tall order given his track record, and not a sensible option given his likely wage.

Sounds like the sort of stage act (for the 2020's ) you might find in The Juniper Berry if it were still open.

Not since Che Adams anyway.

Pure speculation, but recall reading somewhere that BBD likes to play on the left, and he thinks that its his best position. Have to wonder if RM accepts his players expressing their preferences, then looks to accommodate them... Remember AA wanting to play as No 9 in the centre and RM accepting it... similar to Archer thinking it a good idea for him to take a penalty and being allowed to.

This is the most damning thing of all as far as I'm concerned. They failed to bring in a striker for Ralph, and still haven't. I'm not convinced by RM and his tactics but poor buggers chances are reduced further with the feeble strikers at his disposal.

I'd not heard of him until the earlier post, so a quick Google , and see that he's got a shaved head and beard, a 'full Pep' if you like, competing with Enzo in the tribute act stakes. That's all that matters. I can't believe he wouldn't be on Rasmus's list.

Who exactly? Unless Ross Stewart makes a miraculous recovery and more miraculously makes the step up, effectively from L1 to EPL level (almost from a standing start) the ‘someone’ is the elusive player that we’ve failed to sign. This assumes Tall Paul isn’t being going to feature (if he’s still here).

I’d share your concern as to what might unfold, but if we don’t start picking up points then it’s a case of damned if we do or damned if we don’t. Always a risk involved, could be an inspired appointment to change things, or might be like 2022/3 and a free fall. I know which I think is more likely with SR record of appointments.

Pity our Recruitment team didn't realise or act on this this before the window closed. Say it quickly enough and it glosses over the problem as if it will all fall into place one Saturday and we'll be prolific scorers again.

Did Papa Waigo ever take one ? thinking JPT shoot out.

Annoying thing, yet again, look at the £ spent on BBD and Archer, then wonder who we could have spent it on. Might add Wood into that calculation as well for that matter. Can’t believe there wasn’t a decent CF in that sum available for us to go after.

Certainly seems to divide opinions. To paraphrase and adapt an old marketing slogan “if Marmite made football managers ..”

I think his scoring record with Sheffield Utd last season made him worth a gamble. Archer on the other hand …..

Shocking admission. Surprised he’s not too embarrassed to come out with that.

What’s Jesse Marsch up to these days ? (Satirical question)