Badger

Agree with this, and keep coming back with the same thought, why the f^ck was someone like John Williams not brought in ?

Seems to have the hallmark of a target for us, ie a perpetual nutter with a chequered history of bust ups, and a joint ownership to prolong the negotiations again.

What evidence is there to support that NC could have found another buyer/backer ?

I am still inclined to trust KL's intentions, but judgement is another matter. Koeman - we have to pin our faith on him. Reed/Rodgers - no, allowing Chambers to leave has drained any trust in their ability to run a premiership football club I tried having in them. Good financial director, or backroom organiser they might be but not for running the whole show. Ralph - sorry, but to recall a phrase on here a couple of months ago, " all fart, and no ****".

They must be "ill".

The club objective is quite the opposite , maintain the academy but close down the first team.

Why John Williams was overlooked and the current arrangement preferred is staggering.

So, Shaw, AL, Lambert would have rejected their moves and £££ if NC remained ? Do you really believe that ?

Even Rupert Lowe put up some resistance to try and keep players (Dean Richards springs to mind). Reed and the CEO appear a pair of feeble buffoons in their handling of events. We really need a more experienced and capable person overseeing the club not these two.

preferably with us as well, and for more than 20 odd appearances.

Beyond belief isn't it ? Reed must be the most calamitous clown to be involved in the club since Rupert.

That would be quite a good move , but doubt we'll have the initiative for such a move.

Many on here have suggested Chambers is more versatile and might play in a back 3 - which may fit Koeman's style - or as a defensive midfielder.

Where does he say this ? If Reed is selling players without the managers input I fear Koeman will also be on his way shortly rather than put up with this farce.

Why can't the club just say "he's not for sale" ? End of story. This would be a lot more definite than the current 'well, you can't afford him' approach they're adopting. Putting even a vague and inflated figure on it appears posturing rather than anything else.

IF true, then thats half the cost of Lovren, (and a significant chunk of a new LB as well).

What no watch ? But good news.

This nonsense again. We don't need the additional money at the moment - we need players. I doubt we have a problem affording our targets, it's persuading them to sign.

I've made this point when talking to A Bristol City supporter after Cotterill/Chairman Lansdowns comments re us in Bath. When did either Bristol club nurture local talent that went on to make a name for themselves in the top flight ? By my recollection it was the Mabbutt brothers, late 70's/early 80's. And as another twist of the knife for Clotterill etc, the more sucessful of the two was Gary Mabbutt who came from Rovers.

It is probably more an expression of confidence and faith in 'the board', CEO and Les Reed in particular, and their handling of things than taking a random tweet as gospel.

Don't necessarily disagree about Fonte, but the part in bold is a bit of a flawed point, and I hope Reed does not fall into this trap. Even if we rake in £5m we still have to find and more importantly buy a replacement. There are probably plenty of players equal to or better than JF, but attracting them, and then persuading them to sign is not easy, and is an area we may struggle on. We don't need an extra £5m in the coffers we need a CB, or two. It would be good if we also retain some players who will help retain the spirit in the dressing room, Fonte for one, Cork as another , and hopefully Morgan too.

Meerkat ?

Other options: horse pony donkey donkey's dobber

Indeed. And for the younger viewers:

Hedgehog.