Fitzhugh Fella

I honestly have no idea what Xg is and I subscribe to the Athletic. I do know we looked like a disorganised rabble on Monday. Does this progress things?

Private ownership means the days of protests meaning something are gone for ever. As Springsteen once sung "the price you pay".

Because we can’t think of anyone else. Our options are diminishing owing to our shit situation. Be honest if you were a player and Saints came in for you right now I bet you’d think twice. Woods is probably not going to come now I agree but he has experience and knows where the net is.

We still weren’t relegated then

As someone else has said I don’t think it matters who we get now.

Desperate times need desperate measures. The alternative is to sit back and watch ourselves slowly die.

Exactly

This is going to sound utterly bonkers but clearly something has to be done before it’s too late. Place Jones on 6 months gardening leave. Bring in Sean Dyche on a short term contract for 6 months. Sign Woods (Dyche might be able to persuade him to come on a short term loan). Also try and sign someone who could show leadership on the pitch. if we still go down at least we would have tried something radical and gone down fighting. Back in the Championship reappoint Jones as he knows his way around that League and could still do a decent job for us. His appointment smacks of the Lowe and Wigley era. It was unfair to appoint Wigley back then as he didn’t even want the job and it was unfair to appoint Jones in November with the club in such a mess because Ralph hadn’t been sacked in the summer. SR need to be brave and act now.

With respect we simply do not have that time. I know this sounds utterly insane but needs must. I would place NJ on some sort of gardening leave. I would bring in Sean Dyche on a 6 month contract. Hope he could bring in Woods from Newcastle and a midfielder who leads on the pitch. Should he fail to save us come May, then we regroup and reappoint Jones who could probably do a decent job for us in the Championship. I know this is an extreme position to take but the writing is oh so clear on the wall and drastic action has got to be taken by SR before it’s too late. Every day that passes we are edging inexorably towards the precipice. Jones sadly was not what this club needed 2 months ago. Really feel for the bloke as he must be waking up this morning to the realisation of the impossible task he was given.

Hope for ever springs eternal

Waste of time. The big clubs are simply too powerful now and the days of overturning them in the Cups are receding. The playing field is nothing like level. Welcome to football in the 21st century Qatar v Dubai, Saudi v Doha etc etc I’d play the kids and show disdain for a competition that’s no longer competitive in the true sense of the word.

Surely if we were to sell him to Chelsea for 15m more than the buy back figure City could trigger it and then pocket the 15m?

22

It’s another issue but is relevant to the predicament we are currently in. Of course it may not be an issue come January but I’m commenting on where NJ currently finds himself. I agree re the timing. Had we appointed him in the summer it would have been better. Whichever way you argue you have to concede he is a rookie in terms of top flight managerial experience. I sincerely hope he proves my doubts to be unfounded but surely you can’t blame a lot of fans for having such doubts? Should we not be expressing them on a forum?

Yep well said. Surely every Saints wants him to do well but a lot, including me, just don’t think the timing is right. He could well be the next Graham Potter but to plunge a PL rookie manager into a relegation battle with an inexperienced team who lack a goalscorer is probably asking too much.

Yea thanks. I’m not sure he benefits much playing alongside Brereton as he is a selfish player (like all goalscorers) but he is happy at Ewood and gets on with the manager. He needs to be a little more selfish himself. I don’t think BR are a top 6 side but like someone said maybe the standard is not as high as it used to be.

As you know I watch Blackburn virtually every game and I agree he has had a couple of quiet games. It’s very rare he gets a rest, he’s been flogged to death this season and I think he is carrying a hip injury. I’m not sure he is the answer for us either although he has a physical presence and does know where the back of the net is. Think he will run his contract down. Going to the Sunderland Blackburn game on Boxing Day so I’ll keep my ears peeled.

Apart from the Torino manager of course

I know. I had about three days of vague acceptance and slight optimism after his appointment but now I’ve had time to reflect and think, the gloom has returned. We need a “Messiah type” to dig us out and not sure Jones for all his intent, energy and hard work is that man. I sincerely hope this post comes back to haunt me. You have my full permission to throw it back in my face come May.

I can’t help thinking that while he may well be a good manager in the long term he will be unable to give us the short term boost we are going to need to escape relegation. Everything is dependent on the first few results. If they go against us then the pressure will be huge on someone who is a PL rookie. Personally I would have gone for a short term contract with Sean Dyche, and maybe gone back for Jones in the summer but we are where we are but the next month will be defining.

So so quiet. Not even a silly rumour to ponder. Can not remember it being so quiet a few weeks before a window creaks open.

Had the misfortune to play under 2 underwhelming managers.

Thanks for cheering me up.