Badger

In terms of how long Saints will take to make an appointment,I heard an interesting discussion about the Villa job on the radio the other day. It was suggested that Lerner is not just sifting/interviewing potential candidates but using techniques from the business world to identify managers suitable to be considered.One technique was drawing up psychological profiles of candidates etc. Given NC's previous business life,what is the likelihood that a similar excercise might be going on at Saints ? (Probably get a more insightful view of the candidates from reading this board though).

Our chairmen certainly know how to pick football advisers, don't they? Perhaps NC would be better off with a World Cup winning rugby coach at his side.

Using Cestrian Saints list for starters,I'd certainly not want: Phil Brown Zola Paul Hart Iain Dowie Chris Coleman Gary SMegson Alan Shearer Kevin Blackwell Tony Adams Gareth Southgate Chris Coleman Paul Ince Paul Jewell Plus (not that some of them might even be interested): Mark Hughes Alan Curbishley Dennis Wise Sven Ian Holloway Steve Cotterill ( he must be really gutted, he has been hanging on for the Saints job for about three years,now its available he's hooked up at the skates and blown his chance) Peter Reid Tony Pulis Micky Adams Unknown Serie B or even Serie A candidates for that matter No return for Jones, Burley,or other former Saints managers Eddie Howe - I would discount him,not for being crap but due to it being too early in his career Along with O'Neill the following would be interesting candidates: Kevin Keegan - but he'd only stay 18months maximum Lee Clarke - but unlikely to prise him from Huddersfield, and he'd be off to Newcastle at some stage Tony Mowbray - good football pedigree,and promotion experience Paul Tisdale - as an outside bet,and an up and coming manager although it might be a big jump with the expectation at Saints,and perhaps NC would not allow him time to build.

It seems that every manager "loses the dressing room" these days, Pards (according to rumours), MON, Brown at Hull etc etc...No doubt Sheff Utd fans are saying this about Blackwell as well. Oh well, Paul Hart it is then.

An interesting read on Martin O'Neill: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/08/10/2063794/why-martin-oneills-stubbornness-stops-him-from-succeeding-as

Just read about Mowbray on Wiki, and am amazed to read he is only 46,younger than Martin O'Neill so Mowbray could be a better option for a longer term if that is a criteria. Always thought Mowbray had been around for years... One drawback with Mowbray might be his attachment with his spiritual home at 'Boro as I think we are all aware WGS may not last up there on current form.

...or rumours of a drink problem.

Does anyone know the situation on the fans forum for this season? Was it not meant to be this Friday? Sorry if elsewhere posted

The Sun can ****ing kiss my arse

And what are these three sources???

Unless there is an announcement tomorrow then that will be my conclusion. Although it crossed my mind that a further appointment might need to be discussed with someone in Switzerland before it goes through.Who knows ?

Perhaps they were all beastly to Uncle Les one morning and did not speak nicely to him. Possibly about his plans to bring in a 'visual coach' and Simon Clifford to assist in the academy.

This seems more plausible to me than anything else, especially the Villa speculation.

In fear of sounding like Frankie Howard : No, no, and thrice no.

You may be right but seems illogical to me.Get out of L1 first then change rather than jeopardise the promotion prospect. Last paragraph, we'll have to wait and see but fear that unless a good appointment is made soon, then we will be on a very slippery slope again. On first hearing AP was gone I was expecting an announcement was imminently to overshadow it (ie O'Neil or Keegan).I am amazed nothing is in the pipeline so wonder what - other than a rift over transfers/club structure between AP and NC - led to AP's hasty departure.

Someone suggested Holloway earlier, and those under pressure - Martinez ? Perhaps Grunt wants to be nearer his sleazy knocking shop down this way again. May also be assistants/coaches in the PL looking to move up.

Don't joke.Having beaten us three times in about the last 12 months he may very well have registered on NC's radar.

Further reasons not to consider Sven's application any further then.

Anyone else considered the Hart rumour has been 'leaked' by Saints in order to manage expectations ie when they announce Ince/Turdishley/Zola/some random Serie B Italian no one has heard of, fans will breathe a collective sigh of relief and say "at least its not Paul Hart...".

It must have been a case of mass-misconduct then...Any suggestions ?

That we don't know do we ?

So, after over 3,000 posts we end up with two right backs, and a left back. Not many people can claim any ITK success this time.Can't wait for Jauary's window......

New to me???

how do they know? Cortese hasn't said

oh, not a well known 'affair' though is it