SaintLondon

I'm going to eat my words probably BUT I think they *will* get this next managerial appointment right - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how badly they've got all the big calls wrong since coming in. Tried to be too clever, tried to cut corners perhaps but ultimately it doesn't matter the reasons for any of it, the point is, they fucked it and big time. The cost of relegation is massive but could be mitigated with an early promotion back to the PL in a season or two. For that reason alone and with Dragan's money on the line I think they will be sensible and get a proven name in the dugout. I think they'll try everything to get the likes of Potter - huge promotion bonuses etc. For them, PR is everything right now - if they can lure a proven PL manager to the Championship on the promise of what's to come then it'll only help in keeping some potentially wantaway players / unsure incoming targets. Or am I talking bollocks? Are they going to try and "lure" Paul Jewell out of retirement?

Don't suppose anyone know's of a couple of tickets going for this?

Bit of a nervous wreck today.. Really feel tonight could be a massive turning point in the season.. Get a positive result tonight and then there is less pressure on the Spurs game.. We're so brittle in our mentality that it seems that the moment a bit of pressure emerges we fall to pieces. The relative up lift in performances / results since Selles came in seems to have eased the fear a tad.. A bad result tonight and I think it really is goodnight Vienna (I'm pretty confident it already is but you know.. always hope etc.)

PR disaster after PR disaster. Perhaps Rasmus should attend a Ted Talk on communications strategy. Regardless of whether I wanted JM, the fact remains, there was some press briefing indicating the club were pretty damn sure the deal was effectively done. For it tall fall apart at the eleventh hour due to something as crucial as length of contract meant that once again Ankersen and co had royally fucked up again. It's like spending your winnings only to find out your horse didn't finish. Ankersen thought he had the power but of course he didn't, it was always with Marsch. Ankersen thinks he's something special and I've some stark news for him. Honestly, what have we become? Shining a light on the mismanagement is only further removing us from any position of power. Every man, woman and child now knows the situation we find ourselves in and any potential new manager is going to demand more and we'll have to acquiesce or we'll find ourselves with Selles until the end of the season. Which they'll spin as their first choice. Sick to death of it. Bollocks, the lot of it.

"Ruben Selles to take Chelsea game and club still see him as a viable longer-term option, potentially with a more experienced coach" This worries me. I wasn't wild about Marsch but I think putting our survival hopes on Selles is extremely risky.. At least Marsch has been there and done it. Hmmm

There is truth in the Marsch link. I don’t get it, however, I don’t think I’ll be happy with any names mentioned because who decent wants to come in? Can’t say I knew much about him before but Gallardo looks decent and would get excited by that.

Who is going to want to walk into this though? Pretty much guaranteeing a relegation on the CV. It's going to be Selles until the end of the season. Like Burnley last season. I think we'll get someone ready for the summer to do full pre season etc. I think the reality is the board have accepted our fate and they're working to that schedule. NJ was a clusterfuck of an appointment that everyone and their dog could see and it's most certainly cost a place in the PL. Not suggesting that another manager comes in and works wonders but I do think Mr Bean would get a better tune out this squad.

They’ll say the first half showed glimpses of what is possible and he needs time. Then in a few games time, they’ll say, Jones is the man to help rebuild and he has the metrics and knows the championship so whilst we still believe we can stay up, Jones has a wealth of experience that we need. Roll on 8 games into Championship season and then they’ll finally sack him with us in the bottom 3. Ok, I’m being defeatist but if he isn’t gone by lunchtime tomorrow I can’t see them sacking him this season.

Nathan Jones footballing philosophy… Front footed and aggressive. He has nothing else to say. He’s genuinely hopeless.

Got a link?

I hope if that is the case that nobody asks any further questions. Let's be honest, this is the sole issue that *needs* to be discussed. What else matters at the moment? This isn't reactionary to a few poor results, this is about a guy who clearly isn't cut out for the job, this is about Ankerson and co playing a game with the clubs future in the balance. Fan centres, additional hospitality offerings and gourmet burgers mean nothing. Don't let them PR their way out of it. Keep at it. They have to know this isn't something we'll 'get over' - we're fuming that we've been taken for mugs. They can't roll out the nonsense that we can't keep up with competitors such as Villa and Wolves who hired proper managers. We were the second biggest spenders in Jan - the whole thing is so lopsided. I'd rather we'd have spent less and hired a competent manager, someone who can inspire some confidence and positivity into the group.

As it childish at it might seem, fans tomorrow should keep asking the same questions. Why is he still here? Why was he here in the first place? If you’re making a list of pros and cons please let us know what you’re putting in the pros column? Etc etc Don’t bother with - when are we getting new screens?

If it's decided by a panel... Who in their right mind would be voting for the clown to stay? It's just so disjointed. We lose to Wolves and he goes. We get a draw and he stays but then lose the next game and he goes? What are they *hoping* is going to happen? We go on a winning streak? The performances coupled with JWP's comments means that is not going to happen. Better to lose face and give the team a chance of staying up. Losers - top to bottom at the moment.

Wouldn't be all that surprised to see Leeds go back to Bielsa

Alfie from the echo confirming he's at Staplewood now as normal taking training. Ludicrous, utterly ludicrous.

It's Crook but still... I think we can put the champagne back on ice.

Blackmore can't wait for him to go.

He’s not going anywhere is he

Also, he said yesterday that he doesn't see the his team in that performance and that things haven't changed etc. He's been banging on about his 50% win rate and that we played well in all games *even* the Forest game... He's talking bollocks, he doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

I don't think Adam Blackmore knows anything, I think he's just saying it how it is, he's not said anything untrue, just facts. I think the fact it's 1.36pm and he's still here means he's not going anywhere. It'll make for an interesting Solent interview next week. Although, NJ will probably just boycott it.

I honestly think any manager would do a better job at the moment. His complete lack accountability means he’s going to continue to throw anyone and everyone under the bus until he finally chucks Rasmus under. It’ll be at that point that Rasmus pulls the trigger. Egos running the club. It’s so clear to everyone that NJ isn’t working and it’s not going to work either. Even if he had the tools to turn it around, the rot has set in. He’d need to work doubly hard to turn it around. The guy doesn’t have the emotional nous to do it. It’s gone beyond should he go, he absolutely has to go. Let’s face it, we’re going down anyway but we can’t have this doom merchant steering the ship to the abyss. Bring someone in who can give the players and the fans something to be positive about. Not even joking, in the words of that Manc, give it Prowsey until the end of the season.

Might just switch off my phone until 11.01pm. Were transfer windows always like this? Getting close to players and then other clubs coming in last minute? Or is it now just a case that it’s always been like this but it’s now just heavily reported on? Either way, it’s not fun.

Apparently he's going to Marseille, he's pushed for it, they're signing him on a long term contract. I mean, fair play, it's where I'd choose.

Well at least we don’t have long to wait now to be ultimately disappointed. We’ve gone from wow ok we’re being linked to oh they’re off to Brighton in a few hours. I’m expecting more of the same today… ever the pessimist!

I tell you what I find a little odd.. The usual suspects such as The Athletic and Alex Crook have been very quiet on this Dembele thing... Normally they all pipe up once the ball is rolling on a rumour. I'm probably getting my hopes up but could the club have briefed them to not leak the story / details to stop other clubs pushing the button on sanctioning a bid? Wishful thinking I'm sure but it certainly seems our bridges have been a little burnt this window with other clubs coming in late and gazumping us. Just a thought!