shurlock

Sadly, if AR-10 mentioned it, it probably isn’t true. The simpleton couldn’t predict tomorrow’s date.

Physically the type of player we’ve been calling out for.

Very interesting - thanks for the link.

We don't just buy success, we breed it.

Yes it also strikes me as pretty pointless. While I know jack s**t about the Goas and the ins and outs of this deal, wider trends are instructive. Chinese businessmen have generally stayed away from having a presence on the ground and taking on operational responsibilities, preferring to provide financing and opt for a more passive, hands-off approach to their investments. For its part, the UK is one of the most open and welcoming countries in the world for foreign investment, even in sensitive sectors such as nuclear and telecoms. There is no need for Goa to curry favour. Indeed, if you're Goa, why limit your opportunity set to Southampton? Why not take your pick from the rest of country and simply go where returns are highest. I'm pretty sure that the £200m they've spunked on the club will be their biggest investment here - whatever else they do will be ancillary and secondary to owning saints. If they do other business, it may be with an eye on the Chinese market with which they're intimately more familiar. I read Goa's blog a while back, describing his trip to Poole and the time he spent at Sunseeker, the yachtmakers. For all we know, he might be looking at partnerships which have the potential to expand in China. Finally, there's nothing in Lander's profile that screams out and says they have deep expertise in construction and infrastructure. They're a diversified company with fingers in many pots -finance, media, real estate, hotels, airlines, education, agriculture and, of course, now sports- which is a feature of Chinese business and emerging markets more generally. So, like you, I don't buy it - just like I didn't buy the whimsical little story that Markus was only here to develop the city and in the process flog us more Liebherr family cranes and trucks.

You seem a bit confused. It’s one thing to say that the deal raises lots of red flags -lots of people have expressed concerns, you’re not particularly in a minority here, despite what you think; it’s quite another thing to say that Gao is only interested in raising his visibility in the city so his company can secure building and infrastructure work. With all due respect, I suggest you don’t know much about how Chinese businessmen have viewed the UK as a destination for investment and place to do business.

Arguably something lost in translation. Misuse of the present perfect progressive tense which implies he’s currently managing. My sense is that he means Les has past experience of football management, so also has advice and ideas to share.

Stop projecting big fella.

Nope, though I’ve had plenty of contact with the mainland and I pick up chengyu like loose change down the back of my sofa.

I think it ranks just behind secretly bumping up JWP’s stats.

The Barclays Way?

Agree its not a bad thing that the Goas haven't jumped in head first and gone all vince tan. They may just be following the old chinese strategy of hiding their strength and biding their time (韬光养晦). Which is perfectly sensible. On the other hand, at what stage does humility become paralysing, at what point do they feel confident enough to take bolder action and will it then be too late (assuming things don't turn around drastically)? Hopefully as they watch and learn, they are soaking up info from football people not only inside the club but also outside it.

You can stick your f**king pledges up your arse, Ralph.

Good lad.

Sounds like a write-up of the Blackmore interview, unless Krueger's so cynical that he memorises and repeats word for word the same talking points.

True, though the packers have completely neglected their defense. And Hundley is really, really raw and their WRs outside Adams have already seen their best days. Had the QB been marginally better -journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown level, they might have made the playoffs. The Vikings have shown this season you can be competitive without a star QB as long as the rest of the roster is well-rounded. But I agee I don't think a good CF or any position for that matter is as important as a good QB.

Smells like s**t to me.

That makes sense - I was wondering why three of their players were virtually unmarked at the back post. Who's our player next to Bertrand? Hoj?

You’re all over the place. So who is it? While Les comically bought into his own hype and has made mistakes (more or less on a par with all clubs record in the transfer market), what is he supposed to have done? The fact that Kat was not willing to invest beyond what we received in transfer fees was her decision and prerogative as owner, not his. I’m sure Les would love to have had more latitude to strengthen the squad.

I couldn’t give two s**ts if Krueger is jetting off around the world to present at meaningless conferences. He’s the chairman - it’s a ceremonial role reserved for old f**ts. Rarely are chairmen expected to get their hands dirty and engage in the minutiae of running the club - so no I don’t buy it as a reason for our decline. He was doing exactly the same thing in 2014, 2015 and the first half of 2016 with no impact whatsoever on our performance.

https://www.ontrackdiabetes.com/blogs/diabeticminds-education-emotional-well-being/acid-tripping-blood-sugar-levels

Don’t forget Uncle Les formula for wisdom. As he told freshly minted graduates at Anglia Ruskin University, wisdom equals experience divided by understanding.

Agree, though I’m not sure what talking to the media or being more visible would accomplish. The reality is that plenty of people were quite happy that they were taking a backseat role and letting business continue as usual which in hindsight may have been part of the problem. As for the owners and what value they add to the club, they’ve been a questionable fit from day one, though it has been always clear that the sale had more to do with Kat’s need to exit her investment. Krueger mentioned the harmful uncertainty caused by the VVD situation, though arguably the uncertainty from the protracted takeover has cast a longer, darker shadow over the club over the past 18 months. Something had felt off at the club well before Puel’s insipid finish to the 16/17 campaign. Needless to say Krueger would never admit as such.

How many times did we test the keeper in the first half? We’ve managed to put a new spin or wrinkle on the old dilemma of going ahead too early.

Fair enough, though doubt today’s interview will in any way influence or restrict their ability to sack him, should they decide to pull the trigger. My bigger concern is that there is paralysis at the top.