Badger

I recall we had similar debates about Yoshida being a mistake a game player when he first arrived. I don’t think he made the glaring errors that Sugawara has made but was playing in a more confident team with better players. I’m not writing Sugawara off yet, may be okay -going forward anyway - next season but on showing this season it doesn’t bode well

Yes, you’re correct of course, he was a LB, or at least meant to be. I’ll withdraw him from the RB discussion then, and will bring him out again when we have a Larios themed ‘midget left backs’ thread

I’ll raise you a ‘Lee Todd’. (or was he a left back ?)

I read somewhere, it might even have been an interview with AA, that Ralph wasn't keen on signing him, but sign him we did.

It’s not more noise though, it’s more of an echo. One outlet runs the ‘story’, and several others just repeat it.

Appears the Glazers are still the focus of their anger. Wonder when it will turn on Ratcliffe. He can't be popular there either.

Have been rumours of a takeover there for some time.

Perhaps too obvious for us… I’m half expecting Leicester to go for Rohl when they get shot of RVN. Apart from Alan Ball joining Lawrie when he was DoF, when have we ever gone for an obvious and outstanding candidate? Just remember most people thought Redknapp then at Bournemouth was the obvious candidate when Nicholl got the push. We ended up with Branfoot. Perhaps Spors will be the difference this time.

Good video. Not sure I’m convinced about the Sulemana contribution last season you mention, and Edozie probably squandered more chances than he scored. One player who stands out there is KWP. Bit worrying that we won’t have his extra quality next season. It’ll be difficult to replace him.

Is that the new banner for the Northam ?

Both clubs kept faith in inadequate managers for too long.

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)