Badger

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 ?

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.