Badger

I thought todays was worse than Schumacher as the GK had his foot at head height. My recollection of Schumacher was that he lead with his hands. Agree that VAR shouldn’t have been needed

Time may prove you correct, although I doubt it. Martin has yet to be part of a title winning (Bundesliga) or cup winning management team, nor a World Cup squad for one of the larger national team squads. It seems he’s already got a bit of catching up to do, would you agree ?

To a point, but don’t see how better communication would ‘sugarcoat’ or make the clusterfuck appointments and decision making more palatable. (Not to mention results).

An interesting insight and thought out post. The indication that Kraft has been removed/marginalised or whatever is encouraging, and I’d be onboard with the renewed Dragan lead era next season, involving Spores and new manager. But Dragan will be judged on the results, and (to a degree) the people he puts in post. Rightly or wrongly, Rasmus has lost credibility with the fanbase as he (as Mr Football) has to some degree been seen as the face of SR. Any comments made at the time of your visit regarding Kraft ?

This would be an important step in my book. Happy to have Spors for recruitment and other areas of the back room works, would be pleased by the appointment of a good coach from Europe (Rohl for example), so by no means is it a Little Englander stance, but I’d like to see someone as you describe a proven UK Director who understands the club, supporters etc. If you go back, when Liebherr and Cortese arrived they had Andy Oldknow for local knowledge and understanding of the game here. Admittedly replaced early on. I think NC appointed Les Reed around this time. And despite how he was perceived later on with us, I suspect his early contribution was vital.

Bit like a knee jerk appoint Selles for the rest of the season Wonder who is making the decisions.

Fair point. You’re probably right in football terms. But I’m damn sure he and those he’s brought in from his other businesses would be over it if we were haemorrhaging cash. My point is that I can’t see him giving a CEO an open cheque book without being held accountable.

No one throw any uncooked chicken at him ?

Know the point you’re making, and a CEO like Cortese (but not him) might be good, but it’s an over simplification to think just parachute him into SFC. As I recall Cortese wanted to be left alone to run the club on Liebherr money, without input from the owners. I don’t expect he’d want to be accountable to Dragan Solak, and doubtful Solak would be open to that arrangement either. Sad thing is had Markus Liebherr remained things might have been different. Until AC Milan came calling of course.

Debatable whether they don’t reach their potential, or whether they had any (or we were the only ones to see it?). Inclined to agree, ABK had some potential. Don’t think the same can be said for Salisu, Edozie, Bazunu, Gunn (for example).

Another one for the Ali Dia XI

Thanks for that. From what I’ve read from you, and another article recently Spors has certainly rubbed shoulders with some questionable owners. What you outline at Vitesse, and also 777 Group don’t seem to have covered themselves in glory at Genoa. Sports Republic might seem like pussycats in comparison.

Perhaps Letch ( good name for headlines ) might be another option under consideration (a Plan B). Don’t know anything of him, but have to say the shaved bald wannabe Pep-like head is a serious ‘no go’ for me, second only to bearded hipster fucker in the avoid list. Looks a bit of a Pep/Vialli/ Abel Magwich stereotype hybrid to me. But at 6’3” he might sort some of the delicate little flowers in our squad out.

Wouldn’t you rather he followed Cambridge Utd* or a proper club if not Saints ? ( *assuming that to be your neck of the woods from your user name)

Interesting comments, far wider topic than response to Saints v Brighton ! Will be fun to see Utd struggle under Ratclffe/Ineos after all the self publicity. In short though, agree £ has been the ruination of many of our sports. Rugby be used to be a good day, and quite refreshing change from atmosphere and commercialism at football in the 80’s ( albeit already the days of shamatuerism) , but now following many of the sanitised commercial traits of football.

Don’t agree that Juric was nailed on for the job. If rumours and noises are to be believed we were sounding out others but knocked back due to the perilous state we were in.

Players aren’t good enough, so not fair to blame them for that. As managers, Martin takes most of the blame (perhaps 75%). Juric has inherited a complete circus.

True of course. But can you recall how many games you came away from thinking Bazunu’s saves had won us a point or more? (He did of course earn us a point at Preston, although not from his performance between the sticks).

Although I like Armstrong for the Championship the list you set out wouldn’t get me rushing to renew a season ticket with any great expectation

Could be an option if they were fit and available

Wouldn’t be so bad if it was an isolated one. But ….

Yes, indeed. That Branfoot bloke had an eye for a player.

I did wonder if we could take their 17 in part exchange for Bazunu. That was spectacular spooning it over the bar. Not sure Shane Long would match that, and he was able to miss a sitter or two

How do you know the selection committee listened to his recommendations ? With players like Wood coming in it seems a former manager was heavily involved in the final choices

Some good points in here. Remarkable how Ratcliffe hasn’t turned out a saviour at Old Trafford (although some on here predicted it). can only hope Dragan, and Spors live up to expectation.