Badger

We certainly ballsed up the signings of CB's this summer didn't we ? Reasons for this are pure speculation though. I do recall that some people quoted journalist Alan Nixon- who many on here came to regard as an oracle for Saints transfers -as saying we had options but were undecided !! [This inspires a mental picture of NA & NC in a Laurel & Hardy role, one twiddling his tie as saying " well, this is another fine mess yo've got me into ...", which one is which though is the question now ?]. As for Rhys Williams, the source of the story was Alan Nixon, and the bid was a day or so before the window closed, by which time Williams had picked up a major injury and was said to be out for weeks - possibly until Christmas. No idea if Williams will be back in time fr another bid, and even if he is, we will not be as much of an attractive proposition if deep in the sh1t in January (*unless there are enough ££££ involved in it for him of course).

Many just seem to have left a talk by his main competitor, Sue Icidal

Ottery, Excellent, I remember the photo's of Lawrie walking on Jim Steele's stomach in pre season training.' So a bit of fitness down there, and Slapton Sands, will sort the pussies amongst them out, followed by a pub crawl around Ottery, that will do the trick. The real Alehouse team of the Ted Bates era never needed such 'motivation' though. Just a p1ss up on the Channel Islands as Big Ron put the juniors under his protective wing. Tell that to kids today, and they don't believe you.

As an aside to all this, has anyone stopped to consider how the Liebherr's may be viewing this ? (If at all)

Perhaps we are missing Forecast's influence in the dressing room, and arranging their cocktail evenings in fancy dress. A good team building excercise is called for.Bring Barney back from AFCB, and let Guly drive them all into town.

It never takes long for the 'rent a rumour' to be recycled does it ? Yesterday someone said NA had handed a list of 12 players to NC in the summer but unable to buy any of them. This appears borrowed from WGS 2003 rumour mill, then it was three or four players, but thats inflation for you. Anyone accused of knobbing Fonte's Mrs recently ? Could be another defender in the team, might explain the lack of willing communication between them at times.

Agreed. This point is glaringly obvious, but overlooked by so many on here. Looking at the two extremes,Martinez mentioned on this thread, is said t have cooled interest in other jobs as he might not have full control on footballing matters,so unlikely to accept our regime.Hoddle has always liked a defence built on three centrebacks - sweeper et al - and two wing backs, so again unlikely to accept Reed's 4-3-3 blueprint for football domination.That probably leaves us recruiting from the stagnant pool of usual suspects - McCarthy for one. What's Peter Reid up to these days ?

Strachan also had the luxury of bringing these two in with him for immediate use, anyone joining now will have to wait until January to bring new faces - other than out of contracts - in to the club.

Just in case anyone missed the thrust of your argument I'll draw these two themes together; you really have to wonder if there is an 'agenda' , don't you ? Out of interest was the 'Fred Gee clone' at the club in a position of influence at the time of NA's appointment ?

Just to counter your view on "new manager syndrome", you may also wish to remember George Burley coming in.

No, but in twelve months time I can see NA in a better league positiin than us.

Agree re keeping NA. But of your suggested candidates: Roberto Martinez - good option but unlikely, it will be more difficult to convince him of the clubs ambition and potential etc when at the bottom of the table than it is in the summer Bob Bradley - who and why ? Jurgen Klinsmann (good shout whoever that was) - no chance Rafa Benitez - possibly a good option Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - no thanks, just MancU reserve coach And absolutely NOT Redcrapp McCarthy Keane Add Alan Turdishley to this bunch

Bit of a conundrum here, as speed demon says, we probably won't be relegated with NA in charge. So then what? Having had two-thirds of the season to fulfill the ambition of keeping us up and failing, presumably the new man - be it 'arry, (God forbid, No), Hoddle, Pep (as an extreme example) - hang around for next season, or will they too be discarded as a failure ? Fast forward to this time next year in the Championship, and don't be surprised if Adkins is topping the league with Leicester, Leeds,Sheff Weds or someone else, whilst we flounder trying to rebuild again.

Leeds or Spurs ?

Still waiting for an answer on the above story, can you elaborate Roger ?

It was depressed, yes, but I don't think it can be relied upon to dispel some of the rumours circulating. As I say above, can you foresee NA publicly saying anything differently ? In many ways, hope you are right. If NA sees 4-3-3 is not working, it is in his powers to remedy it.And soon hopefully.

More importantly though who do we play there in the next two months before the window opens ? Wonder if Crosby is still registered and fancies a run out. Come January though, I don't disagree with your summary by the way.

Yes, but I'm sure Bryan Robson always claimed to be making the decisions on team selection and tactics when he was "assisted" by Venables at M/Boro many years ago, when we all knew El Spiv was in charge and Bryan the teaboy. As long as NA is the manager or first team coach, whatever the title, he will publicly claim to have ALL the responsibilities of that post.

But as manager he has to say that to retain any credibility at all. He can't really say "blame the CEO he picks the team and dictates the formation.." can he ? He might also add "..of course he's not a very nice human being, in case you have not heard".

Surprised no one has suggested Steve Cotterill yet.

or Hoddle.* *if you believe in Karma. Perhaps Eileen is the defensive coach we desperately need.

Or Sunderland for that matter

Ditto Ditto again, but then again I'd rather stay with Adkins than either.

Don't disagree about the "errors" letting them down, but for all the posseion etc and tactics 'winning' the first half, how many efforts did we produce on goal ?

Where does that particular gem come from ?