Badger

Having been to all the cup ties I agree with you, but expect to be disappointed in that it will probably be as last season and home matches.

We know which will be the priority here don't we?

Good amount in Cheltenham this morning, but hoping will be okay if/once we reach the motorway.

Probably a significantly larger % in North Wales though. Although I don't think it was compulsory in schools when Hughes was there.

Arsenal now away to CSKA Moscow on the 12th.

He was an outstanding player in his prime, although in his spell with us he appeared to simply go through the motions. His time with Man Utd though does nothing to endear him to me though, quite a 'niggly' sort of player. Even on his debut with us his most memorable contribution was some pushing and shoving of the opposition GK at a corner (memory of Grobbelaar and LIverpool but could be wrong). It did liven the crowd up a bit but other than that was all pointless.

Given the dates involved I wonder if our fixture might be moved, otherwise Arsenal play us on the 9th, and again in EL on Thursday. I presume our Monday fixture is to accommodate tv so that might complicate it.

Having had Pellegrino team selections and tactics I don't think we have room to mock them for that.

Interesting obsevations on Rowett as I've only heard a couple of Birmingham fans who speak highly of him.

Novel.

Same with me.

has he ever managed in the Championship ? If we were to go down, then depending on where their current teams end up, I think either Jokanovic or Rowett would be better placed, but whether they'd be tempted by us in that division and not the PL is questionable.

Think you may be right (in our relegation season or when Sturrock was in charge so 2004, or 5).

And to have played at both The Dell and St Mary's.

Come the summer we can have another spin of the Les Reed roulette wheel, where we start out believing we can improve on Hughes only to appoint someone worse after six weeks.

Largely as I see it. Interesting statistic that many wouldn't be aware of, although it counts for nothing as the clock is reset. (Unless things are dire under MH in which case it'll be trotted our regularly I'm sure).

I recall Billy McNeill having this honour in the 1980's with Villa and Man City. Not the Premier League though if you wish to split hairs.

Is there any possibility that the Hughes issue is a smokescreen for another appointment ?

Have to hope neither Derby or Fulham make it to the PL then.

In the world outside of Saints forums I think Reed still enjoys a reasonable reputation as a DOF. Charlton Athletic aside that is.

Accept that you can't always take too much from a managers time elsewhere, but Strachan came to us without any previous time at Saints to draw on. Hughes time with us as a player was far from successful, and he played in our great escape season, many regarding him and some of the 'bigger name' summer recruits as being responsible for disharmony in the dressing room. Be interesting to see how glad MLT & Benali are to see Hughes at the helm if it happens.

No track record in that respect as far as I know.

Agreed. If he comes here and keeps us up, possibly getting to a Cup Final as well, I don't see him as a long or even medium term manager for us. An 8 game contract, or eleven including FA Cup ties is more than enough. Then rebuild in the summer.

Another potential recruit no longer available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43379269

You think we might win?