Badger

Fair point you make about the heavy defeats. Must admit I haven't followed the EPL closely enough to take in that sort of pattern. Have thoroughly enjoyed ignoring it, yet we still hanker to return.

All very reasonable and logical. Except that the likes of Ratcliffe ( and lower down the chain, Wilcox) can’t wait to put their mark on things, and make a change

Not sure the German FA would agree with you. They’ve only been mastering penalty shoot outs for over 30 years ( especially v England).

Interview with RM after winning the second leg 4-0 Blackmore : “Russell that was a fantastic turnaround after losing the first leg, how did you motivate the team for that ?” RM : “I just printed off and pinned some wild speculation that some joker had put on the mongboard for the guys to read ..”

Not only back up, but I’d like to see Downes playing with a bit of a ball winning ‘enforcer’ next to him. A ‘Wanyama’ or ‘Romeu’ type with Downes the more creative one of the duo

Agree with Alehouse. The speculation should be parked for duration of the play offs.

We wouldn’t be interested in bottom half finishes even though not threatened with relegation in the Premier League would we ? Especially coming after three consecutive years in Europe. We’re far more ambitious than that aren’t we ? Said from the comfort of the Championship.

Joking aside, I suspect Bazunu might have been up for taking a penalty had he been available. Good chance he’d have scored it as well.

Probably the same for 91/92 managers.

According to the BBC match site, this is the most goals they’ve conceded (81) since 1976/7. Last negative GD was 1989/90. Suspect Ten Hag might be on very thin ice after tonight.

As they always do.

Dilemma for RM, whether to start with his best side, or to keep some of the penalty takers on the bench to bring on towards the end. More so Aribo, Downes I’d expect to start Applicable to second leg (not just the final) depending on result at WBA

Had the same conversation this weekend. All too predictable, one player a side footed pass back to their keeper, and Edozie as you describe, probably a chip down the middle ( their GK not having to move).

Almost taking the piss

Poor that it eats into the away allocation. Will only detract from the atmosphere (unless some of the families go on the beer before the match). Wonder how many tartan blanket (even in May), thermos flask types will be there. Along with the assorted vlog makers. It’ll just be left to the rest of us to double our efforts in getting something going.

Agree. Wondered if he'd end up at Ipswich if we don't go up.

Where does that come from ? (Must admit there looked a suspicious square chunk taken out on first looking)

Where was this seen, out of interest ? If it's Crooks or Nixon then pinch of salt perhaps required.

My answer on a postcard: A successful one

A better manager than his reputation based largely on his time at Man Utd suggests. It was a shame he rejected Rupert’s offer at the time. The downside of this is that the new bloke will probably want to give Downes a once over, and the player will want the chance with a new manager. Inevitable though. Doubt that Moyes would fit the Rasmus criterion should there be a vacancy here.

Are Saints still regarded as top on the SR pyramid?

As said in an earlier post, the decision on a DoF may hinge on which division we’re in next season. Clearly more attractive as a Premiership club. Unfortunately though there could be the inevitable waiting on our choice working his notice so as not to be available until after the summer window.

What part of the post do you consider insane ? Since when have middle management (in want of another term) been engaged in selecting people above them ? This is not a dig at RM, any manager might find himself in the same boat. Fact is though, he’s been here a season, so it’s not as if he’s a MacMenemy, Wenger or Klopp who’s been at the club a decade, or best part of, and is part of the furniture that the operation revolves around. ( The tendency is for this to be less the case now than it used to). They might be foolish to take this approach but don’t see why they wouldn’t . SR recruitment has some form for falling into the foolish bracket after all ( Nathan Jones prime example).

That’s the scary possibility!!!

Not really anything to be gleaned from this. Bit unfair asking RM the question. The other explanation is simply that the owners haven’t shared their decision with him yet. RM is the manager, an employee, no reason for Rasmus & Co to involve him in the process, they’ll probably just tell him what’s decided, when they feel appropriate. Plus any decision might be dependent on which division we’re in next season.