Badger

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 ?

Why ffs do we have a fixation for playing this way ? Ridiculous. 4-4-2 has been our success in two seasons.

That was the most deflated I have ever heard NA in an interview.

Curbishley has always struck me as a slimey creep. WGS as great as he was last time I think would also be found wanting. Hoddle is in my mind, the most credible candidate you have listed, although it would inevitably reopen old wounds.

Ottery, as ever , the voice of reason from Devon. In principle, I agree with you, and hope NA is in to fulfill his potential with us and the dream he started two years ago. That said, its pretty difficult to justify his team selections this season, and I fear this and the transfer failings in the summer will bite his arse.

Is he any more experienced at managing in the Prem than Nigel ?

I simply can't see Cortese going for that lunatic, no matter if they both speak the same language, the bloke's a loose cannon and unreliable. No, he isn't. And like his time with Rupert I expect 'arry would be frustrated without total control of the cheque book.

So, if we are looking at the likes of McCarthy and Hoddle, I've got another controversial suggestion : support Adkins !

Don't want to see NA go after his achievements in two years, but I did think he'd make a better job of it in all honesty. May not like the bloke, didn't want him in 2004, but I have questioned for a few weeks now if Hoddle would sort our defence out as he did when he first came in ten years ago.

With the exception of Fonte today, they are largely his signings though.

No.

However brief it may be I don't think enjoyment is likely to feature too much in it on current form.

A worrying line up that does not fill me with confidence at all. Gazzaniga has done nothing wrong but I'd accept the argument that Upton Park may be a test for his nerves - although he has shown no signs of panic in his displays to date. The defence are probably picking themselves at the moment, similarly the midfield. No RL - ridiculous in my mind, even if we are looking to counter attack, Rickie is often the player to hold the ball up and play others in. Rodriguez, unproven but nows the time for him to start looking like a £6m player. Guly ? Prove me wrong, but seems to me we'll start the match with 10 men. A brave selection by Nigel. If it comes off, he's a genius, lose by a small margin then his brave move did not come off. Get stuffed there and its another week of speculation on his job.

But did you get to the "truth",or are you not ,via Matt just repeating his 'whispers and tweets' in an interview format ?

I thought his Dad was an "import" who played for Burnley. So yes, good question why on earth would anyone want to move to Burnley ?

Does he expect to be Eddie Howe's first signing for Bournemouth in January, having played for him at Burnley & Boscombe Athletic ? What is his favourite Johnny Cash record ?