Badger

Back to this point, did he say in a Canadian radio interview - linked on here a few weeks ago - that they had one lined up, or was it that they were looking for one still ? If already agreed, then speculating I'd go for someone RK has previously worked with or knows from his time in Germany or Switzerland.

Yes, I saw it in a Working Mans Club in the town (more of a village) on a visit to County Durham in the late 1980's. Some bastard stole it in the mid nineties, so they now have a replica there.

.. or thinking of another pay day attending the FA Tribunal with MP...

That should guarantee a bit more publicity for it then, taking in to account their history (winning the' first World Cup' and all that.... Thomas Lipton Trophy to be precise..)

ditto

and which one of the two was Claus close to ? Answer, I suspect is neither.

You may be right, although hope not, but I remember similar being said of both Lovren and Ramirez after Sunderland.

So how does that differ from a DoF then ? Perhaps its pedantic, and the two titles are one of the same thing, but "sporting" director indicates overseeing more than just the football and recruitment side of things to me anyway. Perhaps into the sports medicine, physio, and even sports psychology side of things (eye and vision coaches in the SCW world). Not seeking to pick up specifically on your comment, but the role is a bit of a mystery to me and what it - as opposed to a DoF - may bring. As for Leonardo, he no doubt opened doors, but the players mentioned probably signed for the Arab money rather than it being down to him.

..followed by "and the ref was a c^nt.."

That's far too sensible a suggestion , it will never catch on.

No. You're forgetting Bialkowski, and in particular his show at home to Blackpool ?

Result is no real surprise, but yet again manner of it leaves a bitter taste. Dubious penalty (or so I read) , but we come back from that to collapse in first half injury time. Rodriguez is biggest concern . Proves yet again how thin the squad is, and how lamentable our gk options are.

Talk of a sporting director raises a few questions in my mind. What does a sporting director do that will improve things ? And whose role will that be taking over or encroaching on ? Where will this fit in with Les Reed's role ? A director of football to be involved in scouting, transfers etc I can understand, but the sporting director role is a little more ambiguous, and perhaps leans towards SCW territory.

No, don't apologise, I'm exactly the same. I intend taking the dog out for a walk shortly, and then learning the result when I get back in. No result will surprise me, but it will spare a couple of hours of F5's, semi-naked nuns, and 'woots' !!!

Oh well, sorry for my brief outbreak of trying to have a fair and 'balanced view' of him. Yes I agree, he won't make a goalkeeper as long as he has a hole in his arse.

To balance the above comment on thinking about it and in fairness to him, didn't he play v Man City at St Mary's earlier this season ?

In mourning for the fact Gazzaniga has to play ?

Yes, strange how it works. Although I suspect we might have 'handled' him differently to Stoke, but no idea how it might have turned out.

Agreed - I've been harping on about this since the window of January 2012, it was too risky to expect KD to make the jump to Premiership (despite some thinking him a candidate for an international call up !!!). Gazzaniga was a hopeful punt on the back of what at the time was considered a bold bid for Jack Butland. Boluc has been a good signing but prone to occasional 'moments'. Oh for another Niemi in his prime.

Not seen any in the last 48hrs.

Been there nearly three months now. He can't be far off headbutting a coach, colleague, or linesman can he ?

Fair point, in particular selling Osvaldo ( I'm open minded about Ramirez). But then again sell Osvaldo, and we don't need to dip into the Shaw funds so far for a striker.

I'm not a fan of Wellbeck and find watching him play for England frustrating. He always seems to play in clown's shoes, and spend much of the time falling on his arse. That said, from Hodgson's perspective, Wellbeck has to some extent established himself in the squad, played in a tournament before, and in the Champions League level for his club. Rodriguez on the other hand made one indifferent appearance for England, and probably represents a greater gamble.Unfortunately I expect Woy will take the safer option of Wellbeck, if Rodriguez went to Brazil and "froze" the press would have a field day. . Totally agree, there have been many occasions where he has tried to stroke the ball into the net, and even yesterday he probably could have had a hat trick before he eventually scored his first. I expect Rodriguez will play for England many times in the future, but he seems more likely to be another Alan Smith (ex Arsenal) striker, than another Alan Shearer.

Lukaku would be an obvious choice, but if Chelsea are really looking to offload a striker, then I'd go along with a suggestion on here about the young striker Bamford. Right age to fit in with our crop of youngsters.

If only it were that simple. Do you think Remy, Lukaku and the new unnamed LB will accept a third of the wage Shaw is on as well ?